The myriad of physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of being a life-long learner

Take Two+ Tuesday
A Quote, a Thought + an Enriching Link

Quote:

“Folk songs were the way I explored the universe, they were pictures and the pictures were worth more than anything I could say.   …Most of the other performers tried to put themselves across, rather than the song, but I didn’t care about doing that. With me, it was about putting the song across.”

– Bob Dylan      More Dylan quotes, along with a one-paragraph bio here

Thought: You may already be acquainted with the myriad of physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of being a life-long learner. It may be helpful to consider three categories of learning: 

  1. Knowledge acquisition through watching, reading, listening, or tinkering
  2. Skills-based learning, primarily gained by practicing
  3. Insight through pondering – especially after exposure to concepts and ideas that enlarge and challenge one’s current beliefs and assumptions

When we engage in lifelong learning, the 2nd two categories often get far less focus than the first.

I encourage you to ponder about an activity you might enjoy that is more skills-based, where learning that skill will almost certainly incorporate knowledge acquisition and increased insight. Learning to play or sing music, dance, or explore a visual art form can integrate all three ways of learning.  

This link contains an article I wrote about learning to play the piano at an older age, one of my lifelong learning pursuits.

+ An Artistic Link: 

This woman is an inspiration to me!  The Story Of 106-Year Old Pianist Colette Maze