For the Love of Learning

• philomathy •

 

Pronunciation: fi-lah-me-thee                                                                                                                    

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: The love of learning.

Notes: dating back to the end of the 16^th century. Its family includes an adjective, philomathic or philomathical and an adverb philomathically.  (Thanks to Dr. Goodword.  www.alphadictionary.com)

“Personally I’m always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.” —Sir Winston Churchill

Neither of my parents loved their jobs; they worked out of duty and responsibility.  Nor could they understand how seduced and enthralled I was by design. My college years fueled me, and I recounted the connections, the ah-has, the gleanings at the dinner table most nights.

I have been fed, spiritually and professionally, by my life’s work.

To this day, I do my best work—indeed, my best living—when I am learning. With each client, an interesting conversation, a lecture or film, every book. . . opportunities abound. I am philomathic!

At TEDxAtlanta this week, I heard some mighty fine music, and 18 minutes from nine speakers who are experts in their field, all of whom have found something unique, some new take, or a spark that led to a new application or outcome. Each provocative and compelling.

Once home, I stared into space for a while, then phoned to cancel my evening plans. I’d had as much pleasure as I could take in for one day—like eating, and not being able to take another bite.

I feel such gratitude for my ability to think, feel and understand. The willingness to give what Dr. Rita Charon called “exquisite attention” to people who have such passion for their noble work, inspires me to listen more, do good, and be better.

Oh! How I love learning.

Carpe diem

If you haven’t  discovered TED.com, don’t wait another minute. Go there NOW and watch this: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

Then watch http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Then,  pick something—anything— at random, even something you think may not be interesting, and expect to be wowed.