Learning for the Sake of Learning

Whatever happened to learning something simply for joy of learning something new?

We as a society have become conditioned to the idea that learning is supposed to give us a useful or practical skill that will benefit us somehow, in particular financially.

For instance, learning to read helps us know how to operate things because we can read the instructions. It also helps us get a driver’s license as we need to be able to read the booklet before taking the written portion of the test. Reading helps a baker know what ingredients are needed in what quantities and how to put those ingredients together to make the final product.

Knowing basic math helps us balance a checking account and make proper or change or know how much change we should receive when paying cash.

These days, if you decide to go to college it’s with the expectation that you will learn something that will help you get a job. That’s not a bad goal, but that shouldn’t be the only thing you learn. I know when I went to my local community college to pursue a degree in Paralegal studies, I took a course in creative writing because I knew by then I wanted to do more than be a paralegal. I wanted to write. Being a paralegal was a way to give me some semblance of a guarantee that I could support my son and myself while pursuing my goal of being a writer.

While there are things such as reading, writing, and basic math that we all need to learn, what’s wrong with learning something simply because you’re interested in the subject or you enjoy it? I’ve discovered that learning something simply because you want to can enrich your life and in some cases you may even discover a talent you didn’t know you had.

In my case, I’ve been studying Latin because it’s interesting and I think it will eventually help me study other languages I’d like to learn. It’s also not as dead as you might think. Our own language has borrowed from Latin. Words such as “senator” or “memorandum” are Latin. I also plan to learn French, and possibly Irish. They may not be practical, but I think I’d enjoy learning them. What’s wrong with that?

One thing I love to do when I can afford to, is blow glass. I’ve wanted to learn how since I was a teenager, but never thought I’d get a chance to learn (the how I discovered it and got to learn is a story for another time). Even if I got the chance to learn, what would I do with it? The answer is I’d have fun and while doing so produce some nice, practical pieces I can use or hand out as gifts. As I type this, I’m using the first paper weight I made to hold open the notebook I use to write my blog entries in longhand. See? Practical and beautiful!

I’ve also been learning to quilt, knit, crochet, and do cross stitch embroidery. None of these things will make me money. I simply enjoy doing them.

My mother can create fabulous beaded earrings. Depending on the length, it can take her from six to ten hours per pair. Yes, 6 to 10 hours. She does so for love of the craft. She won’t sell them, but rather if she makes you a pair, it’s because for some reason she values you as a person.

I have a friend Suzanne who decorates cakes. When she’s done, they look they were done by a professional bakery. I once asked her what she’d charge to do one for my birthday. She refused to sell me or anyone else a cake. She could do it for money, but she does it for love of creating. She also makes beaded jewelry for the same reason.

My roommate’s ex father-in-law used to make grandmother clocks by hand from a kit. He made one for each of his children. Simply because he loved doing it and he loved his children.

My point is that we lose so much when caught up in making money. There’s a world of learning out there to explore. We need to find and rekindle our natural curiosity and follow it where it leads. Who knows? You might even find a passion that could make you money and leave you time for other pursuits.