As the years pass by we must always be open to learn something new. Many of us have lived into our 80s and 90s and we have learned a lot. We remember primary grades reading "Dick and Jane" books. I was always thrilled to read about 'Jane' who was close to being 'Janet' and then I married a man named Dick. In second, third, fourth and fifth grades came arithmetic with division and multiplication.....such fun and maybe a little difficult. Remember 'penmanship'? That was a course we all took. There were words written above the blackboards in the classroom with perfect handwriting. We were taught to emulate that handwriting. Look at the penmanship of many seniors today.....beautiful! Yet penmanship in our present school rooms is not taught because of computers. Why write with your hand and fingers if you can quickly push letter keys and get your thoughts out?
Yes, learning is always challenging. But we feel so good when we accomplish something difficult. Now that we are older we should never think we can stop learning. Learning is education and every age needs to keep learning.
Unfortunately there are some seniors who have decided they have had enough of 'education'. And consequently they lose contact with our culture. Just think of all the abbreviations we now see in news articles. For example....SCOTUS.....a familiar title you see in capital letters abbreviating for 'supreme court of the United States'. Knowing what SCOTUS is, then you should know who POTUS is...'President of ---'. Makes sense when you know what it means but you could certainly be confused. When you consider how vital our participation is as citizens of the USA, we need to be continually updated to terminology. If we don't we will lose meaning and content of what is going on.
I have often thought of our journey through our earth-bound life as constant education. We learn about God, we learn about the positive thoughts of believing in God and Jesus, we learn about health and how we keep physically strong, we learn about how other people in different countries live, we learn about life in general and how we choose to live, we learn about evil and how to avoid it, we learn about love and living. The test is when we finish our lives are we rejoicing in our wonderful lives or are we regretful of bad decisions we made.
I have heard elderly seniors say, "Oh, don't bother me with more education. I've had enough!"They laugh and turn away. But then you talk to them about what is going on in the news and they have no idea. Who wants to live uninformed? How do you know how to vote in any election?
How do I stay informed? First of all, read! Yes, read books that you trust, read books written years ago but filled with truth. Read news articles, but then use your brain and interpret if it is truth. We have the inner ability to know what is right and what is wrong. And we are given that gift of discernment via the Holy Spirit. Many times I will read something and know in my heart that it is wrong, thanks to the Holy Spirit.
Second, develop intelligent conversations with your friends. Why spend time gossiping about your neighbors which produces nothing worthy? Instead talk government policies, local rulings, certain community rulings that will affect our lives. Keep informed and stretch your mind.
Third, be aware of your neighbors' weak points and try to help them. We all need help from time to time. By thinking outwardly and not on ourselves we feel better and we are happier because we are unselfishly helping others.
Proverbs 4: 7-8...."Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor when you embrace her." Proverbs 3: 5-8......."Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Who is the source of all knowledge and who is the One who leads us into all understanding? Almighty God, of course! Proverbs 3: 19-20 "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew."
Let us continue to learn about our world, about all peoples and about our God. We will rejoice in God awakening our minds.
