You’re neither too old or too young to learn something new.
Despite assertions to the contrary, reading and learning are alive
He announced it rather shyly, but not without pride. He was going to school and taking a two-year course. “He” has been retired for several years and has been working a few jobs for interest’s sake and a bit more money for his hobbies. What he shared was that it was upon watching a group of new post-secondary graduates receive their diplomas that he experienced an old pang. He’d never gone to post-secondary school; instead, he’d gone right to work. He’d had a successful career and worked for interesting organizations, but between work and family, more formal education hadn’t been possible. Until now.
As might be expected, he got lots of positive encouragement on his Facebook post, mine included. I think most of us were happy that he was fulfilling a dream and embracing the sentiment that you’re never too old to dream a new dream or set a new goal.
Once upon a time for me, that dream was writing a book. I accomplished that, and I am proud of how its been received and the comments I’ve had from those who have read it. There really is nothing better than hearing how your book has positively impacted a reader. Whether that’s helping them get un-stuck and out of their own way, or hearing that it felt like I was writing it directly to them, or even that upon reading it, for the first time in a long time, they began asking what they really want in life, and had a tool to help them define that.
That book was Journey to Joy – How to Overcome Life’s Setbacks to Create a Life you Love.
I learned a lot in bringing that book from idea to published, and my sense of self and what I’m capable of changed in the doing of that task. And that’s the gift of continuing to search out new ways to learn and then deciding what that looks like for you. It doesn’t have to be school, and it doesn’t have to be writing a book, but it ought to be something that challenges you.
Create Your Own Learning Path
While formal institutions provide an easy if not expensive option for your learning, there are other routes available to you. One, is a book club. Since I won’t be enrolling into a course, I decided that I could create a non-fiction book club that might provide some of those same learning opportunities. When I visit a bookstore, I’m often drawn just as much to non-fiction as fiction. In part because there’s so much happening in the world that I feel I don’t have enough of a grasp on and want to dig into more deeply. Which is where the idea for a new book club sprang forth, and with it the title - Beyond the Headlines. Feeling I had nothing to lose, I decided to post to a local Facebook group, an invitation to join me, along with the books I had in mind and. Despite assertions to the contrary, the replies I received to join me indicated that reading and learning are alive and well.
I’m delighted by the folks, strangers all to me, who expressed their interest. We’ve met twice, once for a meet and greet, so we could get to know each other a bit, and once to discuss the first chapter. Here’s what I am especially grateful for. The mix of backgrounds and ages. This group ranges in age from 35 to 60+. Several of the members are 1st or 2nd generation Canadians, hailing from eastern and western Europe, along with someone from an African nation. This kind of diversity lights me up.
Too often our social circles include folks who look like us and have similar backgrounds. These folks, with their differences, promise to bring interesting perspectives from their lived experiences and education. Since my goal is to widen my understanding of some of the social and political events right now, it’s clear this group has the potential to do that.
It takes some courage to join a group in which you know no one and that you’re going to be tackling some tricky topics. Yet, eight people did just that. The first chapter, from Carol Off’s book – At a Loss for Words, addressed the concept of Freedom. It was a rich topic as it included events in the US, alongside the Ottawa occupation under the name of freedom. Interestingly, she also includes a comparison of the handling of the Ottawa protest, with some of the Indigenous protests. This is the kind of thought-provoking writing that inspired the thoughtful discussion I’d hoped for. It was a wonderful evening, and I can’t wait for our next gathering.
Whether it’s a book club, returning to school (or going for the first time), lifelong learning is a necessity. Not just for what you’ll learn, but who you’ll become as a result.
The person writing you today is quite different from the person in 2015 who wrote her first blog post, and the 2019 woman who wrote her first book (the second is being written now). Learning is the driver to personal growth. What your choice of topic is, and how you choose to pursue it is up to you. Perhaps you’ll decide to expand your knowledge about an existing interest, or maybe you’ll dive into something completely new. Either way, you can’t help but expand your sense of self and what you’re capable of.
Create Your Own “Beyond the Headlines” Book Club
Initially, I was going to offer an online version of this type of book club for any of you who might be interested. Instead, I’d like to suggest that if this appeals to you, try putting one together on your own. I posted the invitation through Facebook, but you could just as easily post it on another social media platform or even partner with your local library. There is interest, and interest in meeting in person.
My experience shows that folks are ready to connect and want to have a chance to discuss these topics. This is the second in-person book club I run, and I’ve found that in person groups lead to better discussions; not to mention the added benefit of getting to know new people. In an age of disconnection and rampant use of social media, this might be one of the more important undertakings you’ll act upon.
My “Beyond the Headlines” book club is one way I honor my commitment to learning and continued personal growth. In my mind, pursuing knowledge, regardless of the number of years you’ve been away from a focused effort, is one of the best paths towards creating a life you love. The journey really doesn’t stop, and if you’re already on the path, please drop a comment about what you’re up to and what you’ve learned about yourself and the world, so far.
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