I was sitting at the library today, researching psychoanalysis with some classmates when my eye caught a pamphlet that said, “Learn like you will live forever.” I have heard similar sayings like “Live like you will die tomorrow” and “Love like you will never get hurt.” Both of those versions are powerful in their own right, but the library’s quote resonated with me more so than the other two. In todays world, there is so much going on, so many perspectives, so many different types of people, and so many conflicting ideas. At first glance, “learn like you will live forever” seems like a cute saying one finds in a library, but it could not be more relevant in today’s world.
Personal Confession…
I guess I sometimes try to only know enough. It is easy to only pay attention to what happens in my hometown and block out the rest. Global warming scares me, people’s prejudice towards homosexuals and other races makes me sick, and hearing about mass poverty and illiteracy makes me feel helpless. This blog is my decision to be here (Present in what s happening now. Not trying to avoid things or ignore things). So I have decided that every day I am going to take at least 10 minutes and read. Read the news, I think cnn.com will do the trick along with Christiansciencemonitor.com. I will also read blogs. I know my friend Kyle writes a phenomenal blog about LGBT issues that I will try to frequent more often.
I guess the main thing is that I know how detrimental ignorance can be. I am by no means ignorant about the topics mentioned above, but as a young adult about to enter college, these issues are important and I should be more versed in them. The thing is, most of the problems we face in the world arise from the fact that some people decided to stop learning. For example, a lot of people in the older generations have chosen not to believe in global warming because they didn’t learn about it growing up. Of course, I am not saying that one should believe everything they read, but informing oneself is imperative in the process of finding who you are and what you stand for and what is right.
At the end of the day, staying on top of news will only help you understand the world more. You don’t have to believe or subscribe to anything, but, at least you are seeking to understand.
I have spent the last 15 minutes reading different articles. I hope you will follow suit and either start this process by yourself or click on the links below.
Until Next time,
Ali
Interesting post, Ali! I'd agree with you that many times I stop at learning "just enough", when really I just push myself to learn more, especially when it's something I'm passionate about.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog shout-out =]
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ReplyDeleteHi, I am a senior Elementary Education major at the University of Georgia. After reading your post, your thoughts on learning and the need to keep learning really stuck with me; especially the quote you found. You can't be more right in that we must stay informed. I am glad that you have realized now that learning only what you have to or to just get by is not a way to live. As people we are constantly learning.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for your thoughts and ask that I can use some of your opinions on my own blog. Also, I thank you for the challenge to never stop learning.
@burchye: Thank you for your comment :) I am glad you enjoyed my blog post, and I would be honored if you used some of my thoughts in your blog as well! Send me the link, I would love to read it.
ReplyDelete@kyle: :)