More Lessons to Come

 As long as we live, we really ought to keep on learning. The other option to that is being stagnant or dying. Tough words, but they’re true. Think of seniors who take up university studies. They now have the time to devote to it and they want to keep learning. Or people who do crossword puzzles to keep their minds active. 

I teach seniors at a community centre. Now that they have more time on their hands, and perhaps a little extra cash, they often strive to learn new things and keep their gray matter (brains) working. In my class they’ve learned about writing. Two of my students have written their life story and had them published. Other classes I've taught include learning about setting up a blog and writing posts, as well as storytelling. Bucket list or continuing to learn doesn’t matter, but what does is their willingness to keep on being a student, regardless of their age.

Recently I watched a video of seniors in a dance lesson on a Facebook post. In the article and accompanying video, the writer quoted a study out of McGill University in Canada in which researchers and participants discovered that “learning the steps necessary to tango actually improved brainpower and balance.” The participants were seniors who had “experienced a fall within the last year and were scared of falling again.” Otherwise the seniors were healthy. It showed that when we learn something new, the brain develops new pathways and the mind becomes more alert.

Patricia McKinley’s current research program through McGill University investigates leisure-based physical activities that promote health and well-being in vulnerable populations, especially those that use dance as a rehabilitation tool. I’d like to see some of those studies take place in our fair cities and help people I know.

What I do know, that many mature citizens are also learning, is the balance between learning and continued enjoyment of life. I’m a bit younger than many of those I teach but I decided before Christmas that I wanted to learn to play guitar and was planning to take lessons. My youngest daughter had a guitar sitting around while she still lived at home, and I had played with it some, but there were just too many demands on my time and I let it go, but now… I’m taking lessons. 

I took my daughter shopping with me and we found a guitar that had a good sound and was the right size for me. We also got a few necessary items, including new coated strings that would be easier for a beginner. And I, too, have joined others taking lessons as a mature learner—developing new neural paths that the art demands. Like rocking and rubbing your tummy at the same time. With the guitar, one hand is strumming (hmm, still working on that one), and the other hand playing the chords and notes and trying to coordinate the two. But I’m determined. Some of the chords that were hard at first are now easier, and my instructor says the strumming is coming along. He’s been playing for 60 years, so he knows strumming. Thus I have hopes that new neural paths are developing in my brain that will allow me to accomplish this task. I have a couple of tough chords yet to master.

 

So today, with a bit of cash, I’m going to gather a few extra accessories, ones that seem essential since I’ve begun this journey. No big stage plans, just something I’ve often wanted to learn. And now a buddy to play guitar with would be helpful, and I can play whatever tunes I want to learn. I’m happy that my teacher likes gospel songs, so they’ll be in my repertoire too. 

As my teacher says, "The road to Carnegie Hall, is practice, practice, practice."  

"I'm not planning on Carnegie," I joked with the recreation coordinator after the second lesson, "but I will  practise." And I am doing just that. There's more than one way to worship.

 

"Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." Psalm 105: 2a

Carolyn Wilker is an author, editor, avid gardener and a perpetual learner.

www.carolynwilker.ca

  

  

Bringing in the New Year—Carolyn R. Wilker

We’re nearly two weeks into 2016, but for a few moments I want to reflect on the old year that we’ve just put aside.

This past year was momentous in so many ways and sad in others. Three people in my circle of acquaintances and friends—some for as long as 30 years—died in 2015, plus one young teen who attended our church. As I mourned the loss, I also felt grateful to have known Kathy, Susan and Patricia, and Samantha. I reflected on the blessings they brought to my life. Susan was part of my early writing life and edited my first book, Once Upon a Sandbox. Kathy had invited us to her place when we were new members at the church and then to the Bible Study she often hosted. Patricia was a kind and generous neighbour who became a friend, and Samantha is gone too soon at the age of 16.

 Even while I mourn the loss, there were good times aplenty. My husband and I gained a new granddaughter, an addition to the two small grandchildren we already have. I had new publishing credits (Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon and Tower Poetry) and requests for a column in our national denominational magazine, Canada Lutheran, and publication therein, but also invitations to do my memoir workshop in new locations to new organizations. There have also been new friendships in the making and a fabulous writer’s critique group in my corner.

 Perhaps you’ve read the verse in the Bible about “putting your hand to the plough” and not looking back. The analogy works well for ploughing where you need to keep your eye on the furrows ahead and turn carefully. I think there’s much value in assessing what you’ve brought with you from the year in order to move ahead to the next.

On December 24th, Vitaliy Fursov, a fellow Toastmaster and acquaintance, offered his planning guide to fellow Facebook friends. He wrote, “This time of the year I usually take a quiet moment and enjoy a planning session for my next year. Well, that's what I've learned to do as a professional PM (project manager?). If one fails to plan, one plans to fail. I call it a year design.”

I downloaded his year design and began to think through the categories one at a time. Among the categories were things we’ve learned, challenges we’ve faced, and things that happened during the year that we’re proud of.  Then looking toward the new year the lessons we want to take with us. Those included things we perhaps need to delegate, keep, or leave behind (which might mean quitting something).

Going through the plan gave me some clarity, especially when I needed to make a decision this week. I looked at my notes and realized what needed to stay, what I must set aside and what I wanted to accomplish this year—which is not a resolution made on the spur of New Year’s Eve, but a longer range plan for using abilities and gifts.Perhaps even continuing on with a goal not yet achieved but what is on its way to completion.

There is value in looking back in order to move ahead. Specialists in mental health and therapy have done this for ages to help their clients. We can gain from it too. It doesn’t exclude praying for guidance or letting God help us make decisions. We can make plans and sometimes the goalpost moves and alters things even while we’re serving. With those items more clearly in focus, we can move ahead.

 I know what my goals are, but do you know yours?

 www.carolynwilker.ca