This term encompasses learning as a life style. Education is not restricted to the classroom. We learn by living. Our experiences, both personal and professional, help to continue our learning throughout our lives. Flying a kite, giving a speech in a boardroom, walking along a beach, playing on a playground - all of these are opportunities to look at the world around us in a new and exciting way. These afford us a new perspective of ourselves and our world in order to maintain learning. Lifelong learning happens in the classroom as well. Traditional education settings can give us the building blocks to maintain our continued education. Whether or not we realize it, learning happens everyday and it is that reason that we can adapt to the world.
After reading the tutorial on lifelong learning, we were asked to identify which of the 7½ habits is easiest and which is hardest. The easiest habit that I identify with is accepting responsibility for my own learning. I returned to college to pursue my Masters in education after a short break. I continue my education in my workplace to maintain the highest degree of knowledge. I work in a pharmacy and it is very important to be aware of the changes in the laws, the newest research involving medications and the medical community, as well internal changes within our company. I learn everyday with my children. I have one toddler and one that is a preschooler. Everyday is a learning adventure and I am reminded that there are so many things to see in the world around us. It is astonishing all of the things I let slip by my notice that my children will point out to me. The hardest habit I have from this list is viewing problems as challenges. I find myself getting flustered and worked up over problems that can be solved with a little patience. Usually, problems tend to pile up at the same time and make it hard for me to see the "challenge". But as someone older and wiser has reminded me numerous times, that too, is part of the challenge of solving problems. I have to remind myself to slow down and work through the steps to find the solution. I can blame a lot of this on my life. I am busy (two kids, full time job, Master's program, and military wife) and very rarely get a full night's sleep. I will just have to learn to manage my time in such a way that allows me to find the challenges in all the problems. This too is part of lifelong learning.
Referring to a comment you made about yourself in your "Thing 2" post, don't sell yourself short - you are an amazing and wonderful person! Just look at all the problems/challenges that you face on a daily basis (the kids, full-time pharmacy job, stressful military wife life, AND pursuing a Master's degree)... I'm literally doing like 1/6th of the stuff you are and still get flustered and worked up over problems that could most likely be solved with a little bit more time management. So, you HAVE to be awesome to stay sane and the least bit organized! Sometimes it is hard to slow down, take a step back, and really look at the problem to turn it into a "challenge accepted" moment, but you're right, that's also part of lifelong learning. :) You're doing great!
ReplyDeleteWow! Hands down, you are an amazing person!! I'm just a military wife in a Master's program and I thought that was hard enough! I've been way too lazy to even pack lunch for my husband! You having two kids AND a full time job on top of everything is just too amazing! I'm positive that you'll do great and with this experience, you'll be able to do pretty much anything!!
ReplyDeleteI really like that phrase "Whether or not we realize it, learning happens everyday and it is that reason that we can adapt to the world." I sure do wish more people understood and followed this. Adaptation is so important.
ReplyDelete@Joshua - Thank you. It's nice to know that I have profound moments and when I reread this, I realized that you're right. Adaptation is important and it would be wonderful if more people would realize it.
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