Lessons are There for the Taking

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 127

Feb 27, 2025

Hello Readers,

We are what we consume. I’m not necessarily talking about food.

Whether reading, watching, scrolling, or listening, it reflects our outlook on life.

The better informed we are, the better decisions we make. We are fortunate to have various outlets of information to increase our knowledge.

The question is, do we take advantage of the knowledge available to us?

My inspiration this week:

Being a tourist in our nation’s capital.

In this newsletter:

Choosing to learn.
A recent exploration.
Knowing your home territory.

On Being a Lifelong Learner

Retirement has allowed me more time to learn.

I’m talking about more than taking art lessons, although that has brought me a new appreciation of art.

I used to read books to escape.

Now, I have time to do that and read books to learn, such as March by Geraldine Brooks, Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott, Mythology by Edith Hamilton, and Photography: A Very Short Introduction by Steve Edwards.

I’m currently reading Ovid's Metamorphoses (which will take most of the year) and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations. Soon I’ll start Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot

While I won’t be able to pass a test on the information covered in these books, at least I can say I am familiar with the content. I will no longer be a blank slate on the subject matter.

We have opportunities to learn all around us. We might as well learn while we have the chance.

A Mini National Geographic Explorer Vacation

Each year I take a girls’ trip with my two best friends.

It may not be what you picture when you hear the words “girls’ trip.”

Yes, we have fun (lots!). We catch up and eat great food. We reminisce and laugh (a lot). We’ve been friends for over 40 years, so we have much in common.

Each year, we pick a different city and explore what it has to offer. This year, it was Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Museums, The Capital, Memorials, Ford’s Theater - we attempted to do it all. Or as much as we could cram into two full days. It was a little like a National Geographic Explorer vacation, excecpt we didn’t have the experts guiding us..

I was struck by how much I don’t know about the country I live in. Sure, I was familiar with so much, but the details left me, if I ever had them. So much history, so much greatness, and so much to be proud of.

I was reminded of all our country has been through to get where it is today.

I came away from my trip wanting to know more. (Can anyone recommend a book on Lincoln? Readability will give you bonus points.)

What’s in your backyard?

You don’t have to travel far to find a place to learn. Look in the city in which you live.

From historic sites to art displays, they are closer than you think. What is that monument downtown for? How did your area get its name? Have you stopped to read that historical marker you passed on the way to work?

Libraries and other public spaces often have art or historical displays. My local coffee shop displays art by local artists of all ages. Looking at art and reading that it’s pastel and watercolor can make you wonder. Some small towns have historical homes that have open house tours during the year.

Learn what’s in your area, and go check it out.

If you can’t see them in person, check out the Internet. Many museums post information about items in their collections on their websites.

A little research can make you a lifelong learner about any topic you choose.

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

I am grateful for the time to learn (and read) at my speed and dip my toe into whatever I choose.
Check out your local library for programs that might interest you. 📚
I am grateful for my girlfriends and the common interests we share.
It’s a good thing to be familiar with your local history and culture.
Check out your local community center for free or low-cost classes.
Do you have a friend who knows a skill you want to learn? Ask them to teach you! 🧶
This is one example of what you can find online. Seeing this portrait of John F. Kennedy in person was amazing, not only because of its size in real life but because Elaine de Kooning’s abstract impressionism distinctly captures JFK, so there is no doubt who the portrait is of. Taking art lessons gave me a true appreciation of her work.🎨

Thank you for reading. Are you a lifelong learner?

Until next time,

💚

Susan

If I were to visit you, how would we continue learning? Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts.

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