Tuesday, November 29, 2005
idea exposure
for those of us who are no longer enrolled in a formal educational program creating a life that allows us to be always learning can pose a greater level of challenge. it can become quite easy to only come in contact with thoughts, ideas and concepts that we are already familiar with or that resonate with our deeply held beliefs. we work in a field where we understand the key concepts of our trade and socialize with people who share many of our political and personal values. so where do the fresh new ways of looking at the world, the new opportunities to meet our human need for learning and discovery come from?
recently, i made a decision that i wanted to learn more about a variety of factors that have given shape to my life today. to read and learn about the history of my ancestors, to learn more about the development of the religion i was raised in and to further my understanding of the history of my country. setting out to do this has begun to reveal new ideas and concepts left and right.
some of the information i am encountering is not new, but looking at it from new perspectives is providing a whole new experience. and in other instances there is new information, bit and pieces that can be woven into what i already knew and create a much more clear and understandable picture of my world. "ah, so that's why my finnish grandmother always reacted so strongly when..."
this exposure to new ideas has just begun, and each time i come across a new concept it only increases my desire to learn more.
it's unfortunate but often true that formal education either doesn't allow us to learn what we would truly like to, or if we are lucky enough to be studying a topic we enjoy it doesn't allow us to learn at a reasonable enough pace to truly soak in all that we are reading and memorizing. deciding to learn what we want to in a way that will allow us to fully incorporate and understand the ideas presented can be incredibly empowering.
whether you learn by asking your grandparents to tell you stories, going to local film festivals or checking out books and magazines from your local library, setting out to find the information your brain is craving is an exciting adventure.
what would you like to learn?
how do you want to learn it?
what does it mean for you to be life long learner?
i'd love to hear your ideas or suggestions for finding new perspectives and learning new things...as always, post your thoughts here!
dream big,
-kirsten
recently, i made a decision that i wanted to learn more about a variety of factors that have given shape to my life today. to read and learn about the history of my ancestors, to learn more about the development of the religion i was raised in and to further my understanding of the history of my country. setting out to do this has begun to reveal new ideas and concepts left and right.
some of the information i am encountering is not new, but looking at it from new perspectives is providing a whole new experience. and in other instances there is new information, bit and pieces that can be woven into what i already knew and create a much more clear and understandable picture of my world. "ah, so that's why my finnish grandmother always reacted so strongly when..."
this exposure to new ideas has just begun, and each time i come across a new concept it only increases my desire to learn more.
it's unfortunate but often true that formal education either doesn't allow us to learn what we would truly like to, or if we are lucky enough to be studying a topic we enjoy it doesn't allow us to learn at a reasonable enough pace to truly soak in all that we are reading and memorizing. deciding to learn what we want to in a way that will allow us to fully incorporate and understand the ideas presented can be incredibly empowering.
whether you learn by asking your grandparents to tell you stories, going to local film festivals or checking out books and magazines from your local library, setting out to find the information your brain is craving is an exciting adventure.
what would you like to learn?
how do you want to learn it?
what does it mean for you to be life long learner?
i'd love to hear your ideas or suggestions for finding new perspectives and learning new things...as always, post your thoughts here!
dream big,
-kirsten
# posted by kirsten johnson @ 4:58 AM 