True learning often isn't from a book

I wrote a paper several years ago for a college class about the diversification of classrooms from the traditional curriculum to an arts-integrated classroom. As I did the research, I was shocked to find that these classrooms, where art is implemented at every level, produced children who learned more, retained the information better, and decreased drop-out rates. While this kind of learning is not common place in our country's schools, perhaps it should be.

But that is not really the point of my blog today. Not directly, at least. I was just reflecting on the important lessons that I've learned in life. And I realized that the majority of the big lessons I've learned that have truly made me who I am did not happen in a formal classroom.

I took math throughout school, but the real lesson of money and arithmetic came when I had a checking account and limited funds. It came as I sat down and tried to figure out how to make the pittance I earn feed me and my children, provide shelter and clothing, a vehicle to drive, and insurance, etc. Now that was a math lesson! I do appreciate that without the years of math in formal classroom teaching I would never have been able to do this, but the actual task of "having" to do it to survive taught me the real lesson. Plan ahead. Don't borrow what you cannot repay. And never lend money you can't afford to lose. Those were the big lessons, and I don't remember a single teacher ever telling me these things.

On a less concrete level, I have learned about grace and forgiveness. I would venture to say that since I was raised in the church and attended Sunday School regularly for as long as I can remember, at some point, some well-meaning Sunday School teacher attempted to teach me the Golden Rule. I believe that many times, different pastors have spoken on forgiveness and grace. But it has been the times where I was pushed beyond my limits to give or receive these two things that really "taught" me about them.

My son had major surgery last week. He was born with bilateral cleft lip and palate. He has been a joy to me for as long as I can remember. And he has taught me so much about life.

He has taught me that life is not easy, but embrace it because it is yours. Go forward boldly, even when you know the road is tough--even when you can't understand just how tough it is. He has taught me that bravery is not learned. You just do it. You take another step, even when it sends deep stinging pain through your limbs. Even when you believe that you cannot ever do it again. You cry a little at times, but ultimately, you look at the options and choose what is best, even when it hurts.

Ultimately, I realize that school is very unimportant in who I am and who I will become. The things that shape me are the things that cannot be written or expressed in a textbook, or in an experiment, or in a recipe, or in a sheet of music. Life is our ultimate learning experience. And God is my guidance counselor. And my children still prove to be my best teachers.



To seek the answers without knowing where you may find them is the true research project of life.