Always learning

"Regardless of the venue, we all need to be learning something in order to take any aspect of life to the next level.  There’s even value in learning something simply for the sake of learning.  Simply put, if you’re not always learning, then you’re missing out on opportunities to get more out of your life."

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Last week I described the best vacation I’ve ever had.  It imbued me with a new attitude and zest for life.  I feel I have endless opportunity to bring my life to the next level.

Some of those opportunities I found by identifying knowledge I lack.  For example, to improve my relationships with family members, I can acquire better communication skills.  I decided to look for a book or other resource that can help me learn those skills.

We often think about school when thinking about learning. But sometimes the learning we need is in the local library.  We can often create our own “courses” to acquire the knowledge and skills we need with the resources which many libraries provide to their patrons for free.

Regardless of the venue, we all need to be learning something in order to take any aspect of life to the next level.  There’s even value in learning something simply for the sake of learning.  Simply put, if you’re not always learning, then you’re missing out on opportunities to get more out of your life.

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We believe in learning

We Latter-day Saints inherently believe in continuous learning.  It’s encoded in our religion.  After all, “the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth” (D&C 93:36).

In a great treatise on truth, the Lord describes acquiring light so that it grows “brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24).  He later extolled, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).  We also have His admonition to “study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (D&C 90:15).

We don’t have to learn everything at once, “for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength,” but we must be diligent in applying ourselves, “that thereby [we] might win the prize” (Mosiah 4:27).  As the Prophet Joseph learned while translating the Book of Mormon, “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end” (D&C 10:4).

And we have the assurance our diligence will be rewarded, “for every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened” (3 Nephi 14:8).  Embracing learning in every stage of life can open new pathways to live our religion more fully and deepen the measure of our faith.

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We have endless opportunity

Every stage of life also provides endless learning opportunities.  We can acquire new knowledge for our current stage in life or transition into the next.  We can also learn for its own sake.

I’ve known several single sisters who saw the need to return to school.  Providing for their family required earning more income, which they weren’t getting outside of a career path which a college degree would open for them.

It certainly wasn’t easy.  Just working and raising their children is challenge enough.  Adding school into that mix was no picnic, but they squared their shoulders and did what was necessary to conquer the challenge before them.

Other LDS singles need simply to learn more about their current career path.  Rather than change careers, they need to learn skills that can make them more valuable in the marketplace.  If that describes you, seek advice from successful professionals in your field.  If you do what they do long enough, their success can be yours.

The world is filled with so much to learn about.  It’s hard for people on the learning train to get bored.  But if they ever do, they can always sit in another car and keep enjoying the ride.

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Embrace your opportunity

What do you need to learn to take your life to next level?  What do you need to learn to improve your relationships or your employment?  What do you need to learn to grow and embrace the blessings your Heavenly Father has prepared for you?

And let’s not forget learning just for the sake of learning.  Learning for its own sake is great for enhancing curiosity.  And it’s curiosity that opens the doors to greater joy in living.

Whatever you need to learn, when you partner with the Lord, you can counsel with Him on how you should proceed.  In my life, I’ve often found that the resources I need to learn what I need to learn cross my path if I share my concerns with Him and then proceed about my way with an open mind.  Embracing those opportunities has greatly enriched my life.

In short, learning simply enhances the value of living.  And that brings us more joy in our journey.

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