Some Thoughts On Learning

A huge part of learning comes from books.
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When you see the word 'learning', what is the first thing that comes to mind?

I immediately think of the words 'school' and 'education'.

I imagine the familiar imagery of dreary schooldays, where teacher points to the blackboard and students squirm in their seats, or running to class after class, frivolously scribbling (or in more modern settings, frantically typing) notes in lecture halls.

Lecture halls...I wonder how it feels like to be in one of these on a daily basis?
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I also recall those days where we would dissect frogs and insects, mix multicolored chemicals and test out all three of Newton's laws of motion in the science labs. Those days where a supposedly boring History lesson comes to life when teachers brought us on an imaginary tour of the ancient worlds. When we do long and tedious Maths sums, only to feel glad when the sum is finally reduced to a simple number. (Have you wondered why sums are so complicated but the answers so simple? It baffles me.)

However, learning extends beyond school. In fact, we have been learning from the very day we were born. Somehow we learned how to breathe; we learned how to cry and how to smile; we learned how to open our mouths to eat. Later, we learn how to walk and talk, and after that learning becomes more complex: We learn our ABC's, how to make words into sentences, how to associate names with people (e.g this is Mum, this is Dad, etc.), how to recognize colors, how to make friends, etc.

Hopscotch...is a fun way to learn together with friends :)
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Of course not everything we learn is good; we also learn from young how to lie, how to disobey, how to make fun of people/put them down, how to steal, etc. However, somewhere along the line we also learn from our folks, teachers, and religious and moral teachings about what is right, and what is wrong; what is good, and what is bad. However, choosing right over wrong depends entirely upon ourselves. Our upbringing can only do so much and the choice is still mine and yours to make.

Sometimes learning has it's own 'crash and fall' moments...
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Some learning requires memorization, many through repeated practice sessions; some through trial and error, some through concept grasping. There are some areas where we learn faster, some where we learn at a normal pace, and some where we learn slower. It's sad that discrimination does happen as a result, where people who learn slower in certain areas are called names and at times are neglected by the education system at large (not just limited to Malaysia alone- the term 'dumb' is universal!)

Some learning takes place hands-on.
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After school, I know that I will still learn: learning to cope in the work world as an adult. learning how to adapt, how to settle deals and contracts, how to fall in love, how to treat your spouse (if married), how to raise kids (if I have kids that is), how to balance career with family, how to spend time after retiring...

There's one thing I know I'll take a lifetime to learn, however: how to improve in every aspect - be it spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and become the person that God wants me to be. :)

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From a different angle on this subject, I personally think that learning is the best antidote to superiority. Different groups of people hail their own backgrounds as superior to another - some examples would be like Eastern versus Western cultures (and vice versa); racial superiority, cultural superiority, rich versus poor, even the types of education (a local example would be English-talkers or "English-eds" versus those who uphold vernacular education), and the debates on which is better have never stopped since. Many people fight passionately to defend their point of view while disregarding the other party.

What does learning have to do with this? Personally, I think that instead of finding the specks, stones and flaws in other people or other views, it is better if I learn from them instead. I believe that there are good points in many views, cultures, etc, and it would only do me good if I learn the good of both sides while doing away with the not-so-good parts (everything has flaws). For instance:

• Instead of hailing one language over another as a medium of education over another, try to learn both if possible. Learning more languages only brings advantage to the person who wishes to communicate better. (Words of my wise mom here) 
• Instead of hailing one way of life against another, for example by generalizing that Eastern/Western culture is better, take the good of both sides. I think that we need to learn to advance like the West, and practice respect to elders like the East, for example.
• I've noticed that some cultures have practices that are just plain sweet. Personally for me, one example would be the way my Malay friends salam the hands of their parents, elders and friends when greeting or leaving them (correct me if I'm wrong here). In my eyes, it's a really respectful and sweet thing to do. Another example is how people in the West are more open in showing affection towards family and friends (Asians are a little stingy on affection I guess?) Hugs bring encouragement to close family and friends. I know it when people hug me :) I'm pretty sure there is beauty in every other culture as well, and seeing them makes the world so much more beautiful to me.

Here's to a lifetime of learning.

Learning doesn't stop...

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Image sources: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)