The Magnificence of Learning Something New Everyday
With a world full of wonders at our fingertips.
This remarkable quote inspired me to write this article:
“Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.” — Bryant H. McGill.
The Importance of Being Curious
It's impressive how much we can learn by being curious. Inquisitive wonderers, lovers of the unknown, and truth seekers. In an age of AI, deep fakes, and disinformation, we must be eager to tell truth from fiction and fact from myth.
Besides procuring a formal education, we could use some TLC and self-teach ourselves as well. The definition of self-taught varies depending on the source.
The synonyms are diverse. They include self-instructed, autodidactic, self-made, unschooled, untutored, untaught, home-educated, amateur, non-professional, self-study, Sunday, weekend, and without formal education.
I can't tell you exact numbers, but I can guarantee you that the quality of what we learn equals the effort we put into the subject of our interest.
I'm always impressed when I hear about a talented person who became a music sensation without coaching. They were self-taught and are a success story. Most must study for years to accomplish what some of these guys conquer in barely months. With lots of practice, naturally.
Some people call them “naturals.” Classical music comes to mind. How is that even possible? These children have an innate learning capacity. At 5 or 6 years old, they can already perform full concerts by heart! All they do is hear a composition. They immediately identify the chords and remember them after a few plays.
I recently wrote an article on savants, and the comments on it were pretty illuminating. Some were first-hand accounts of witnessing it in their midst.
Some were autistic, and some were not, but their abilities remained just as impressive. Scientists are puzzled by what they uncovered when studying these extraordinary cases.
Ordinary, self-taught people might not be geniuses like the ones above. But your jaw drops when someone says they learnt 12 languages without professional tutoring.
Is there a technique they use? If so, how come the rest of us mortals aren't able to integrate it?
What is the secret sauce?
The Beginnings
To be self-taught, you’d need some essential elements.
Loving the subject
Curiosity
Discipline
Commitment
Exercise and practice.
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Fascination goes together with curiosity, so that's interchangeable.
Yet, sometimes without our awareness, the human brain acts like a sponge for new knowledge. If there's a significant impediment to such a dynamic, it is us.
Our inclination is to postpone. We get lazy and distracted. We even lose interest when ideas float for too long without action.
We should help our brain achieve what it needs, not ignore it or sabotage it.
Many people have anxiety and depression because they've ignored that call.
We have heard it many times: "Listen to your body” (or mind, in this case), "Use it or lose it," and similar expressions.
Unfortunately, we want instant gratification. It seems to beat all other desires. By the time we've realised we've wasted our chances, it's probably too late to fully use the young cells in the brain.
Thus, the climb to the top of the mountain we've sought to reach becomes a superhuman effort.
Yet, the human spirit and perseverance are no match for an ego that is too lazy to want to contribute. It's never too late to keep on learning new topics, follow new interests, or learn a new language. All we need is the willpower to go for it and never give up.
“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.” — Leonardo da Vinci.
It's difficult for me to comprehend when someone complains that they're bored.
Life is so generous with riches for your eyes to discover; boredom is a crime you commit against yourself.
As a parent, if you can help it, make sure your kids never utter that nonsense. If they do, it’s time for a serious conversation and assessment. It could mean their future.
“If you can let go of passion and follow your curiosity, your curiosity just might lead you to your passion.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
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“Life is so generous with riches for your eyes to discover; boredom is a crime you commit against yourself.”
Well said Rene!
I love learning. I don’t often focus on the opportunities that have come out of the months which gave me extra time to learn more about the area’s I love or from the situations that “forced” me to educate myself so I could apply the information to immediate needs of myself or others…
I suppose if I had desired to I could have several extra degree’s to fall back on, because I educate myself… but school wouldn’t have allowed me the freedom to help others along the way and would have kept me in one box. Such a delightful way to look at it- seeing it as a gift rather than a limitation, simply because it doesn’t make me money. 🙏
Fabulous piece @Rene Volpi ! I love it and it resonates with me. Being curious and inquisitive are so necessary if you want to expand your knowledge and imagination each day! 💫💜💫