Learn Something New!

            Think back to elementary school. You are in fourth grade Math class and your teacher writes two daunting words on the board: “Long division.” Sighs and groans spread throughout the room. But then, like the sight of the sun on a cloudy day, your teacher says, “Don’t worry. Learning can be fun.” At the time, you sneakily roll your eyes and chalk it up to another adult’s skewed view on the world, but now, years later, it turns out (as has proven true much more than once) your teacher knew what she was talking about. Learning can, in fact, be fun. If you can commit yourself to learning just one new thing per weekend, you will find the reward to be great.

            Don’t get down on yourself thinking you now need to sign up for Introduction to Astrophysics at your local college--although that would certainly be something to be proud of.  Make it simple. Search online or at the community center for classes much less time consuming (and brain busting).  You could learn to cook a new dish each week. You could learn a new language or a new instrument. Hardware stores often offer free classes (bonus!) teaching painting or carpentry techniques. Taking part in these can help you meet new people and start marking items of the To-Do List. Finishing the downstairs bathroom? Check! Providing shelter for birds in your backyard? Check!  Interacting with the other eager participants provide you with a great opportunity to meet people. One new name is still something learned.

            If you aren’t looking to be the next Emeril or Tim “the Toolman” Taylor, that’s fine too. Check out your local library. The people there are more than willing to make a friend and share their abundant knowledge.  Make it your goal to learn one new fact each week about the area where you live.  Then, you can take your friends and family on a personal tour and share all that fresh knowledge that is just waiting to be spread! Whether learning to speak French or a new French toast recipe, whether learning the names of all the countries in the world or just the names of ten of your neighbors, the result is the same. You are learning. And in the process you have made more great memories and met more great people to add to your list. So swallow your pride, and start by learning your Fourth grade Math teacher’s address so you can write her a thank you letter.