What will you learn in 2022?

 As humans, we have the incredible power to learn something new, and when we learn, we alter our lives in incredible ways. As a lifelong educator, I spent my days thinking a lot about learning--I pondered what was important to learn, how people learn, and what to do with that new learning. Now as a retired educator, I am applying that knowledge  to all aspects of my life. 

There's a lot to learn out there

Information is everywhere today, and the challenge is knowing what it is that you want to learn, why you want to learn that, and the best sources of information to lead you to that knowledge. You can't learn it all, and you have to be okay with that. 

Choose knowledge mentors

Find the people that you want to learn from, and then learn from them via their social media, podcasts, news shows, books, lectures and more. Some of the mentors and topics I've chosen to invest in include the following

  • my cousins/other friends/family members - family life, family history
  • Jose Vilson - education, equity, family life, professional learning
  • Chris Lehman - education leadership, family 
  • Mary Anne Riley, Pam Moran - education leadership, good living, art, literature
  • Shannon Watts - advocacy, sensible gun laws, public safety, contribution
  • Elizabeth Warren, Katherine Clark - public service, good laws, greater good, good government
  • Mary Beth Mullen Hines - poetry, family, friends
  • Randall Kennedy - law, equity, anti-racism, society, contribution
Know your questions

The best learning is led by good questions. What questions lead your learning? For me, the following questions are priorities right now:
  • How can I live a healthy life?
  • How can I create a warm, welcoming home?
  • What can I do to support my family members and friends in signficant, positive ways?
  • How can I contribute to society in ways that create better living for all--what can I do?
  • Specifically how can I act to promote sensible gun laws, less violence/poverty, quality education/health care, healthy recreation, preservation of our natural resources/beautiful natural spaces and a strong, positive democracy. 
Commit to a positive learning routine

To learn well, you have to commit to a positive learning routine including these actions:
  • Regular reading, research, reflection, assessment
  • Commitment to using new knowledge in ways that better life
  • Learning with others in collaborative online or offline spaces
Set some goals for that learning

Find the right kind of learning goals that will motivate you. For me the goal is regular reading, reflection and writing related to the host of books I've collected. Once I read those books, I'll decide on next steps. My book list mostly relates to ways to rid my life and our society of deadly racism, violence, and lack of love and service to one another. 

The ability to learn and apply that learning to better our lives holds incredible potential for who we are and how we live indivdually and collectively. Lifelong learning contributes to the good lives possible for all of us.