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
