|
|
Organizing
Your
Mind
Chapter 13 You Can Learn What You Really Want To "It is no great exaggeration to say that living is for the most part learning, and that the remainder of life is merely the carrying on in practice what has previously been learned. We begin to learn at least as soon as we begin to live; very probably the learning process commences some time before birth. It does not appear probable that we cease to learn until we are in the actual clutches of death." Knight Dunlap (American psycologist and author) Harry Lorayne suggests that many of us learn to a certain point and then just work with that knowledge for the rest of our lives. We can't be bothered to take the time and effort to learn anything more that may enhance our lives. So in Harry's book he is trying to show us that if we don't keep learning we will stagnate. Stagnant: 1. Not running or flowing: stagnant water (have you ever smelled stagnant water? P U ) 2. Foul from standing still 3. Not active; sluggish; dull I would say the one Harry meant was number three, if we aren't constantly using our mind it becomes sluggish and basically we are probably a dull person to be around. This is the point of Harry's book 'Secrets of Mind Power', to help us to learn more, for knowledgeable people not only benefit themselves but society as a whole. That is as long as they use that knowledge. As the Bible says, 'you don't light a lamp and then put it under a basket'. We should make use of our knowledge and then obtain more knowledge so we can live a full life. Each chapter has concentrated on different ingredients needed to learn. Harry says, 'curiosity is the starter; interest and enthusiasm are low gears; concentration and memory high gears; and accomplishment is the smooth level ride.' Wishing we knew this or that won't make it so, we need to put it into action. We need to want it badly enough to make an effort. If there isn't any establishment near us that teaches what we want to know then there is probably a correspondence course available for fairly reasonable prices. If we look hard enough we may find one that is free. William Allen White, (Renowned American newspaper editor, politician, politician, author)- "A little learning is not a dangerous thing to one who does not mistake it for a great deal." We don't have to start by trying to be a surgeon, if we like to help people feel better, learn basic first aid. The same thing with any subject, we can start out small and see if it still interests us. We may not end up being a connoisseur but we will be smarter than when we started. I can change a washer or cartridge in a faucet but I don't want to be a plumber. Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman writer, speaker, philosopher and politician possibly said this; "The first step to knowledge is to know that we are ignorant." Wise words since if we think we know it all we won't learn anything. Harry Lorayne thinks the saying, "If you're so smart, how come you're not rich?" should be changed to; "If you're so rich, how come you're not smart?" That remark I would put to all those people who are getting rich by destroying our environment, food source and water in which their own descendants will also suffer. But that's another subject. As most know when we have a destination in mind we need a step by step plan so we can attain our goal. I know for myself I can get very easily sidetracked if I don't set up those steps and follow them faithfully. Lorayne doesn't believe that repetition is necessarily a good thing for everything we want to learn for we make mistakes when we learn something new. It would be very frustrating if we repeated a mistake until it became a habit and then find out it was the wrong information or action. He suggests that we challenge ourselves and learn from those who are proficient at what they do. He also knows that we can get discouraged if we feel we aren't learning fast enough or don't think we will ever get what it is we are suppose to do. He says, 'You'll find that once you pass the lowest ebb of that, "I give up" feeling, the light dawns, and another step in the right direction has been made.' He feels possibly this is because "you are no longer pressing and tense when you're ready to give up." So he says there are two things for sure to keep in mind when learning; 1. Relax 2. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged. "Remember that without mistakes there is no learning. Each mistake spotted and eliminated represents another step forward." If we can't get past something one way we can try a different approach or many different approaches until we have the right one for ourself. As it has been stated earlier, to learn you need the 'will'. Once we have the will then we need to get organized by preparing and getting a picture in our minds of what our goal is. Once we can see what it is we want to accomplish then we need to make that step by step plan and follow it carefully. Sloppy learning produces sloppy results. John C. Lavatar: (a scientist and preacher) "Learning is wealth to the poor, an honor to the rich, an aid to the young, and a support and comfort to the aged." Patricia Downing |
