Read and Learn

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” —Mahatma Gandhi 


Learning is often associated with words - but not always. Learning is also gathering experience, noticing, observing, trying, and practicing.
Many years ago I read a notebook written by Leonardo da Vinci. One of his flagpoles was that learning comes through experience. I agree, that to truly know and truly understand for yourself, you'll have to experience something - but I also think that much is learned from books. From books and WORDS, we can  expand our knowledge, gather information, and learn to process that information into something worthwhile in our heads. That's a wonderful thing.


Some educations require reading books for 6 years or so, others may get a diploma through additional semesters of practical work. My uncle earned an honest living after only 7 years of primary school. He worked hard and was never a burden to the social system. Others may be awarded the title "eternal students", they never seem to tire of going to classes and studying text books.


No matter what our talents or ambitions are, we are all different - and that makes life - and people - interesting. Literacy is important. I have known adults who do not know how to read and write. I am sorry for all they miss out on, all the good books they cannot read, and the progress they can make through reading. There are some books on Cd's, but the choice is so much better for the reading person.