Each semester I make sure that each student sees me individually, for as small as the classes are, some students and I don´t find the opportunity to assess their overall progress. Among many questions we try to answer, I always try to make sure to ask them to reflect, and share if they want to, what they´ve learned about themselves as learners.
I´ve been asking myself that same question: What have I learned these three months?
a) I´m tenacious, probably stubbornly so: I don´t think 40 years ago I´d have continued to force myself to climb the mountains to the top.
b) No matter how adverse some situations appeared, after calming down or a decent interval of a night´s sleep, I was able to see things less frantically, think them through, assess whether or not I needed or wanted to proceed and act.
c) The reasons for a lot of discomfort we feel in life result from formed and perceived notions learned in a plush environment: couches, cars, washing machines, beds, etc., gives us a sense of security. But given other circumstances, the differences are really minimal, tolerable and the action is more enjoyable than the inaction. For example, I know that I don´t get to read as much because it takes longer to wash clothes by hand rather than by machine. But I feel like I´m doing something worthwhile when I do it by hand, whereas I feel it´s a chore when I use the washing machine (I know reading is also worthwhile).
d) I haven´t worked it out fully yet, but I know, better than before I left, how differently I can feel about something personal and difficult one moment from another. Outside of true emergencies, I´ve learned to defray important decisions for those days when I feel well and I sense I can make a reasonable choice.
e) I learned mostly that you take yourself wherever you go, yet: That I´d make such a rip again. Than I´d take more time in each place. That being in different places with different people may make one more tolerant and loving of people all over, except those that don´t like me.
This is not “une blague”, the blog is over.
(Pictures will follow)
Albert Hepner
