Learn Something New

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The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. ~ Dr. Seuss

When was the last time you set out to learn something brand-spanking new? It is so easy to get stuck in the same old life routines, plodding along and doing the same things day in and day out. How do we fit something new into our already-packed schedules?

As I reviewed this topic with my 93-year-old mother, she promptly piped up about how she had spent her whole life learning new things. Perhaps that is what has kept her in such good shape! As I think of it, my mom has been thru quite the age of learning and experiencing many new things.

Just think of all the amazing developments and new gadgets that have sprung up since she was born in 1930. She has gone from outhouses to fancy indoor bathrooms. From no phone to a rotary party line phone to a powerful handheld computer, we call a smartphone today. From mailing letters that took days to reach recipients to emailing and texting instantaneously. Traveling long distances in airplanes in a relatively short time. Choosing from a growing multitude of drive-thru and sit-down restaurants. Grocery stores with anything she desires. Next-day delivery of just about whatever she wants. Checking accounts to charge cards to Venmo and Zell. Watching astronauts live in space for months. From no TV’s, to black and white ones with a few channels, to high-def streaming services of whatever she wants to watch at her fingertips and on that little smartphone even.

And my mom has learned how to navigate it all, even if she longs for just a few TV channels and an easy remote! Not only has she gone along with the times and learned how to handle all the new inventions and gadgets, but she has also learned to type, do shorthand, sing barbershop harmony, paint, play the piano, sew, knit, crochet, scrapbook, use the computer, make jewelry, stamp, and most recently to play the ukulele with me, the grandkids and the great grandkids.

She is an inspiration for me and should be for all of us. No matter what was put before her, she did her best to learn, master, and enjoy it. I expect even more opportunities for her to learn new things as the future unfolds.

Sometimes our learning is forced upon us, like when our gadgets get upgraded operating systems or when we get other new gizmos. But the best learning comes when we dive into something we’ve never done before. When we go out of our everyday routines and comfort zones to learn something new, we also learn a little bit about ourselves as well. We figure out how we learn best. We understand more about what we like and don’t like. We gain confidence. We appreciate the skills necessary to accomplish our new thing. We respect those who have mastered this new thing.

We also get excited when we learn and accomplish something new. We learn the meaning of patience too. It takes time to master something new, and we learn to manage our expectations. Hopefully, we understand that we will not be perfect right out of the gate!

Feeling stuck or bored is a great time to investigate something new. If you don’t have time for something new, consider how you spend your time now. Is there something you could give up? Are you doing some things just to be doing something? Ask yourself if they are essential to continue. If they don’t light you up and make you feel good, perhaps they don’t need to take up as much real estate in your life. Pay attention to your ‘screen time’ too. Could that time be spent doing something new, better, and more enriching and fun for you?

Ask your friends for suggestions. Look around your community for classes, clubs, and outings. Even though it is more ‘screen time,’ YouTube has seemingly unlimited teaching videos for almost anything! There are new sports to learn, instruments to play, crafts to do, and countless things to build and make. I have to say it came in very handy for our ukulele classes!

Learning and doing new things is a great way to enhance your life. It can bring magic, surprise, and long-lasting enjoyment to you. It can introduce you to new people and new relationships. It builds your courage and self-esteem. It is gymnastics for your mind and keeps it in shape.

Don’t stick with something new if it is not right for you. We certainly don’t want to add more stress to the equation! If you find it’s not what you envisioned, it’s ok to find something else. You can be open to all ideas of new things, yet be selective on what you pick and stick to.

As my mother says and exhibits, “keep learning, and you will stay young!” What are some new things you can put on your horizon?

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