Wrong
question to ask. It’s way too short-sighted.
Why? Because today’s market is just that --
today’s market, and because your life is more than
your pay check and you are more than your work.
Education seems aimed at specific goals, often
relating to work, and that’s a good thing. But
let’s look at learning, learning for the joy of
learning, because life is more than work and you are
more than your job. (Balance.)
When I was in high school, I asked my father why I
had to learn Latin. I saw no earthly purpose in
learning Latin. But then I saw no earthly purpose in
learning algebra, or geology, or actually even in
high school.
He replied, “For your own edification.”
I got the drift – “for my own good” – but
never really looked the word up. Seemed like a lot
of the things I didn’t want to do those days, like
get 8 hours sleep, eat breakfast, make my bed, and
practice the piano, were “for my own good.”
Well, here's what it means,
Main Entry: ed·i·fy. Etymology: Middle English
from Late Latin aedificare to instruct or improve
spiritually, from Latin, to erect a house, from
aedes temple, house.
1 : archaic a : BUILD b : ESTABLISH
2 : to instruct and improve especially in moral and
religious knowledge; also : ENLIGHTEN, INFORM.
So there you have it. You’re building a
foundation, constructing a temple, enlightening
yourself. You’re improving yourself – perhaps in
spirit, character or even soul. For which, of
course, there is no price.
"The advantage of a classical education,"
said Russell Green, "is that it enables you to
despise the wealth that it prevents you from
achieving."
Now here's the question -- Are you educating
yourself only in order to make money, or are you
learning in order to build a foundation for your
life?
Your work is only part of your life. It’s smart to
get an education that enables you to earn a living,
but why stop there? Why starve at a smorgasbord?
Studies show that the trajectory of those who die in
their 5th and 6th decade is school, then work, then
retirement. (Siebert) Lifelong learning, on the
other hand, builds resilience and contributes to
wellness and long life. Furthermore, I contend,
it’s a life you’ll enjoy living longer. Jobs
come and go, as do careers, and people. Learning ...
is forever.
Learning, says David Christensen in his book
“Inner Victory,” is a thirst to know more, to
know better ways, to know why.”
“You must learn day by day, year by year to
broaden your horizon,” said Ethel Barrymore.
“The more things you love, the more you are
interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are
indignant about, the more you have left when
anything happens.”
Getting an education: $100,000
Getting a promotion: $40,000
Learning: Priceless
P.S. Thanks, Dad! About this -- and so many other
things -- you were right. Res ipse loquitur.
©Susan Dunn, MA
Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc
, here to assist, inspire, support and transform
your experience of yourself, your life, your
relationships, your career and your world through
the magic of emotional intelligence competencies
(EQ). Take The EQ Foundation COurse to get started.
Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezines.
210-496-0678.
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