30 Days of Joy: Day 23-Learning

I recently finished a project that I was writing for my previous employer.  It was a manual that included a lot of information that was in my head, but I also needed to include screen-shots of the technology system they are using.  I had never done that before, so I had to learn how to do it.  I called on my personal technology specialist, aka younger son, who figured out how I could do this easily with Windows without having to purchase new software.  It was easy, it was fun, and I learned something new!

I like learning.  I don't know if it is because I was an educator or if I just enjoy new challenges.  This past semester, our younger son took a women's history class and a business ethics class.  I read his text books, because I wanted to learn about these areas, too.  There was a lot I didn't know about women's history.  I now have a better understanding of my mother and the role of women in her generation.  I also understand myself better and why I made some of the choices I did.  I decided to read the business ethics book because I loved my ethics class in graduate school.  I was surprised and fascinated at how much of it related to my work as a Human Resources Director.  Both of these books made me think!

Now that the consulting project is done, I am considering what new learning I should tackle.  While I'll probably take a break for summer, I know that in the fall I will want something new to do.  When I retired, I had several things I wanted to do.  I wanted to start painting.  I wanted to start digitizing my pictures and slides.  I wanted to brush up on my Spanish.  I haven't done any of those yet.  I find that I am very busy as a retiree with never enough time to do all that I want.  How did I ever find time to work?

I think continual learning is how we stay young and keep our minds sharp.  We have friends who travel and take classes through Road Scholars.  I have been looking at the different opportunities they have and am amazed at the variety offered.  They have classes all over the world!  I was checking out options in New England.  You can ride and study trains, learn about lobster fishing, wineries, the arts.  Minnesota classes include Migration Mysteries, Upper Mississippi studies, the Mayo Clinic, and the Great Shakespeare Festival.  All you need is the time and money!

I can't wait to start my next learning project!  There is so much out there to explore.  I hope that I always feel this way because learning can be so joyful.  I don't want to become too old to learn.  So, I am always looking for ways to stretch my mind so that I keep it agile.  I hope that you are in the process of learning something new.  Have fun with it!  Now I have to look into some learning possibilities.  I wonder what I'll choose...

Have you found your joy today?