The Need to Keep Learning

Recently my student guitar found its way home after traveling through our family of prospective guitarists. As time passed each one moved on to a better guitar of his own.

Many times I have found the need to learn something new because of necessity. Years ago I was very involved in the children’s music ministry of our church. At one point, I led a small junior high singing group. I decided that we needed someone to play guitar. Since none of the kids played guitar, I decided I would be the one to learn. I bought a student guitar, a beginner’s book, and proceeded to learn.

As time passed I added a better guitar and started playing and singing with a friend. We enjoyed singing and playing for different groups and events. When that time passed I let the guitar go and went on to new interests.

I took up oil painting in 1980. I studied, took classes, and developed my skill as an artist. I found that I was spending lots of money on custom framing. So when our local framer, Margriette Mitchell, decided to sell her equipment — I bought it. I knew nothing about making frames, but she showed me how to cut one mat, and cut and make one frame — the rest was up to me.

My need to learn the framing business gave me the incentive to pursue it. My desire to learn the craft developed into a successful business.

We can be driven to learn by necessity, or we can learn by desire.

I had the desire to learn to knit. My mother-in-law showed me the basics and guided me until I was on my own and creating many beautiful things through the years.

From an early age, I had the desire to sew for myself. In the following years, I loved sewing for my three little girls until they were grown. Let’s set a goal to stay active and keep our brains busy learning new things — enjoy life to its fullest.