Progress and Learning
I’ve said that everyday I still
discover a lot of things about my husband that I didn’t know before and early
in our marriage but may I say that more than that I’ve discovered more about “me”
than I have in the 42 years that I have been single. I realize that I must have been a very stiff,
strict, idealistic old maid virgin then (pardon me for saying that about myself
but looking back, it seems so true). I realize that it seemed to me I knew all
the answers and the right advices when the truth is, I really didn’t but I
thought I did.
My marriage to Russell opened my
mind somewhat; to a different understanding of the world, of others even of
myself, from an idealistic “black and white” view to a more realistic “black and
white and gray”. I haven’t changed my spiritual convictions but I have been
more understanding and tolerant of people. For one I have come to understand
men more. I suppose living intimately with one day in and out has a lot to do
with it. Experience is the best teacher for sure.
We learn in different ways, from
others, by experience, discovery, observation, absorption (of knowledge), acceptance
of the truth. We even learn by making mistakes. We should only stop learning
when we’re dead. Learning is part of growing and growth is progress. But to
learn, one has to have an open and teachable heart and mind. And in order to move
forward in anything by learning we need to use and apply what we have learned.
The trouble is sometimes we
refuse to learn. We see a glass half full because we have decided it is even if
others have told us or even by our own observation, that it is half empty. So
because we have decided it’s half full (because we’re stubborn, in denial or
blind) we stop there when we can fill it up more (because it’s half empty) to get more out of it. Our own refusal to be
educated stunt our progress.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Phil. 4:13”…
but even if there are things that are still out of our control, we leave that
to the Lord but we also do our part. Nothing comes easy but whatever happens,
keep on moving no matter how slow.
Learn, change, progress.
Comments