THE GIFT OF LEARNING (5): IS EXPERIENCE THE BEST TEACHER?

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." - Confucius

Gift of Learning

We are familiar with the cliché, "experience is the best teacher". Right? People use it almost every time. I beg to differ in my opinion and state unequivocally that experience is, and can be the worst teacher - that is if you are lucky to be among the few who live to tell the experience afterwards.

My point is, that experience like any teacher has it's shortcomings. However, I agree that learning from our experience is long lasting. We tend to remember those lessons for a long time and always remember not to repeat them again.

"At the tender age of four, I remember jumping into our in-ground swimming pool, backwards. The result can well be imagined: a bloody chin, 6 stitches and an experiential lesson in cause-and-effect that no textbook could have instilled." - Anonymous

No doubt experience has its role to play in the scheme of learning life's lessons but it should never be allowed to rule our lives if we're to succeed in our quest for the right avenues through which we can become relevant - through learning!

Learning is a lifetime process. History has it that President Ronald Regan died at about age 90. But the interesting fact about his death is the place where he died - in his library. He died a lifelong learner. We must acquire this fundamental discipline because it is as normal as food and physical exercise.

If we are to ever progress in any area of our lives, we must heed the call to lifelong learning. Our world is dynamic and things don't stay the same. It’s important to continue learning so we can keep up. If we don’t, the world will pass us by. We’re all born with natural talents and abilities, but that doesn’t mean we’re masters of those talents the first time we try. Lifelong learners are always honing their skills and learning new ones.