#1 Reflections on Lifelong Learning

Several years ago as I was in a Master's program, the underlying thread of discussion wrapped around the term "lifelong" learning. My mind was challenged with this new revelational thought. My grip on my self demands released as I soaked this idea up in my thinking.
Our class dissected this term in cooperative groups. Through this effort, I processed that "lifelong learning" meant that we could relax and know that learning was a process...not a "finale"- not a commanded performance. It was accepting each day as "one minute at a time" - offered to everyone. We could choose to have the mindset of each moment being a blessing in our learning. I was in my fifties at the time. The ultimate "aha" was that no one is too young or too old to learn! Wow!
Up to this time, I had struggled with evaluating all learning, always desiring the absolute best of anything that I would tackle in personal and educational experiences. I had to accomplish the most and be the best. Maybe to others, this would seem the ultimate -most positive way!
No, on the other hand, this had been much the more frustrating because of the judgment that I would put on myself. So much in my past had always come easily to learn. The mountain I was climbing was with the demands of technology. I judged myself and raised the standard for myself even if other people did not. I would so struggle with the terms, computer command strokes, manipulating the applications, and the whole idea...one reason was that I was a "heart person". The computer interrupted my life. It was taking so much time to learn.
One might say, "You're not understanding! The computer is the way to go!" Well, to me, the whole scene of this object was stealing my time from people. This, coupled with the struggle of mastering the keyboard...was overwhelming in challenge. I would stay hours at school working on programs so that it would be faster during the day.
Being a lifelong learner, I have processed that rather than perfection...I seek excellence!
When I need to learn, I know the first step is the hardest! I know that because life has proven that to me. To keep going is the key...press on! I love the saying shared in the video...that
"Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Yeah, Confucius!
With learning to play the piano, keyboard, typing, and any skill that I have acquired has been through cycles of struggle and rest...self-evaluation...reflection...and yes, jumping back in - for the end result of "learning"!
To keep up this mindset, there are habits of which I must challenge myself :
*Habit #1: I must ask myself, "What do I want to achieve?" and determine to begin with the end in mind.
*Habit #2: I must accept and take ownership of my own learning by being an active participant, completing all requirements, and learn all expectations. If I do not know, I need to ask someone and surround myself with a network of a support group of learners.
*Habit #3: View problems as challenges - learn from learning opportunity.
*Habit #4: Have confidence in myself - as a confident effective learner!
Yeah, everyone has to start from somewhere. The words I say will be reality!
*Habit #5: I need to create my own toolbox: Friends, classes, mentors, books, technology, web pages, and network of ones who have already processed this.
*Habit #6: Use technology to make my life easier! There are tutorials on everything!
*Habit #7: I need to teach/ mentor others because to really learn something is to be able
to share with others in a way that they can understand the true meaning of the lesson.
*Habit #7 1/2: Give back to community! Know the value of play because it's an important part of brain development.
PLAY! - BE CURIOUS! - READ!
Habits:
*The most challenging habit for me to employ as part of my Learning 2.0 experience probably would be #2 in the part of asking others to help. I have always had a struggle with admitting that I had a problem. I don't want to cause others to get off their focus or slow them down with my concerns. In my past, I always give time to others for them. I need to request help for myself and I intend to focus on the fact that "if we are networked together, it makes the whole picture better". I will keep the saying in mind, "When a heavy load is shared with a friend, the
weight is 1/2 as much." / Another challenging habit would be #6 due to the fact that I am learning and during that time...technology is not easy for me. I intend to have it make my life easier. I am already enjoying the writing on the blog. That is fun for me.
*The easiest habits are: #1 - I always write goals with the end in mind - daily!
#3 - I already know that problems are expected as we learn. I have the mindset that life is hard, but God is good. He is always there for me and breaks my mountains down for me.
#4-I choose to have confidence. I watch very intently that my words
will be confident and sure...I have learned that what we say...will become reality.
#7- Mentoring others: I have already shared so much of this course to others as that is the best way to cement learning. I use this process in school and with my own
reading/ learning.
*The habits that will be most important will be #1: Begin with the end in mind: I need to focus
on this as I do allow other demands to take over at times. This course is important to me! As much as this is so, other people need me also. If there are heart related issues troubling my loved ones, I do put their needs ahead of mine most of the time.
Another of the most important is habit #6: I will purpose to learn the most that is possible in order to be able to manipulate its use in my class in the coming years. I want technology to zoom up into the place of making my life easier. I need to claim the use of all the tutorials!
I have sometimes been pretty much "in the box" and I desire to "break out"! I know it is never too late! As I would encourage others to grab on, stick to the goal, press on, and claim the learning... I will encourage - I will do "self talk" and will exhibit the behavior... mindset of a "lifelong learner"! Yeah! It's never too late to learn!