In talking with my bff of over thirty years tonight, I was reminded of the difference over time between those who keep learning and those who think that learning stops when you leave school. She is a teacher, who has never stopped learning and is at the top of her game. It has been a great comfort that I have had such people in my life to validate my own view of learning and growing throughout my lifetime. Society does lip service to promoting learning past high school or college. They tell us that we are here to work, and then retire and relax. They encourage us to consume as much as possible but they don't really encourage us toward mastery of anything or toward continuing to learn and grow throughout life. People who subscribe to that paradigm (way of thinking) often age rapidly and seem to deteriorate quickly after retirement. Without growth, there is decay; Without purpose, we wither. Michelangelo, when he was 87 years old, is quoted as having said, "I am still learning." Now that to me is a role model. I refuse to accept an end to life which is not about being useful and living to the fullest possible extent. We need to stop thinking that we need to be frail and demented as older human beings. This is a modern concept and it is not worthy of people who should have wisdom to share with the younger generations. Every situation, every person of every age, and every moment has something to teach us - don't miss any of them!
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