Too Old To Learn

Now that I am approaching middle–age the thought crossed my mind that I might be getting too old to learn new stuff. So, I went out and bought a new CNC which will require me to learn 1) a completely new operating system, Mach3, 2) and something called “G–code”.

About six months ago I bought a laser engraver which required me to also purchase and learn yet another graphics package, CorelDraw. Well, I learned this rather complicated software program fairly quickly so I guess I made the right decision. And just so we don’t get bored, sweet Janice and I enrolled in night school together. We are learning how to be better leaders. As I move toward maturity with a still sharp mind I have decided that the way to keep it sharp is to exercise everything including this brain that God gave me. What I am discovering at this stage is that I am often able to contribute wisdom to the class discussions which only comes from having lived a very full life.

At one point in my business career I decided I needed more education. I had been out of school for 22 years when I reenrolled. With that much water under the bridge I thought I was facing an uphill battle. I have to tell you that it was astoundingly easy to maintain a 4.0 at the college level for the next four years. The real world does not grade on a curve; it is straight pass or fail! I did all of the homework plus the extra credit, I took every test and every quiz plus the extra credit questions because the business world had taught me to prepare and to put in as whatever time was required regardless of family commitments and running a company. My much younger classmates had not learned that lesson yet.

So, I don’t care how long you have lived, or how much you already know, I am encouraging you to never stop learning. Decide to learn to do hollow vessels, to use that skew like a pro, to sharpen your tools to a razors edge, to turn all manner of finials with that huge “WOW! Factor” just like Cindy Drozda. I would encourage you to sign up for classes, to view YouTube clips like there was going to be a quiz, then go out in your shop and practice what you’ve been learning and go find someone to share it with. The world isn’t standing still, there are new technological developments, new methods that someone has discovered, and new techniques which make old tasks easier, so I contend that as long as you are on this side of the dirt you are never too old to learn, because wherever you go there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message:

2 Timothy 1:7 ─ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.