It’s August. It’s hard to believe that for many students school is just weeks away.
I always loved the fall. I was excited to see who’s class I would be in; who my classmates would be; and what we would learn that year. In elementary school that only lasted a week or two. Then I was excited for Friday to come and we could have a couple of days off. I was reminiscing with my daughter today and she says she feels the same way. For the month before school started each year she would pack and unpack her backpack of supplies every day in anticipation. The year she was going to start middle school she and her dad would ride up to the school to peek in the windows, she was so excited.
Even this year, as her last year of college approaches, she got one of her class books early and is reading it.
One of my son’s friends recently reported that the school some of his children attend has lost their principal, and the band director. However the band plays on. The Marching Band students, knowing that competitions are coming and not wanting to be behind, are getting together on their own to practice marching and playing a new program. Having been a band parent, I know the dedication these band students can have, and the work they have to go through to accomplish their goals.
Why should we continually seek spiritual and secular education? D&C 93:36-37 says “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.”
President Henry B. Eyring says “We will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time… But remember you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning… “…And since what we will need to know is hard to discern, we need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn.
Robert D. Hales adds, “Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self doubt.”
For many years after graduation I would take a community night school class, learning how to fix my car, woodworking, water color classes, pottery, quilting and photography among others. These have enhanced my life, and given much enjoyment to me and benefits to my family. Now I do my learning through books. I have an “ insatiable curiosity” as President Eyring says.
Last year I explored Mongolia in the 1920’s and the Modern Art Movement. This year I’m enjoying the lives of our presidents and first ladies.
What would you like to know more about? What are you reading?
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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