March 31st, 2010
Working & Learning & Finding Teachers
I’m happiest when I’m working. When I have an idea for a post and I’m rolling over it in my mind, trying to find the right way to approach it and trying to find the right words. When I have a project on the go and ink on my hands, and when I finally find that moment of Ah Ha when everything comes into focus. I’m happiest when I have ideas that make me dream bigger than I thought I could, and that make me so single minded about what I want that I have trouble sleeping.
I’m happiest when I’m learning, so I’m really in heaven when I’m finding teachers.
I try to stay learning all the time, in all of the things that I love. I pour through the archives of blogs I adore, watching to see when what happened as their little projects took on lives of their own. I read the blogs of people who find my corner of the internet and lap up their lives. I listen to how my favourite writers spin their stories, and I read their favourite writers. I’ve started signing up for classes and workshops, to learn from local women who know their stuff and can help me with mine. I talk with friends who craft and friends who cook and friends who knit and friends who draw, and eat up the corners of their wisdom. I conspire. I try to trick particularly wonderful people into being mentors, and I try to live in that place of being open to take as much as I can in instead of trying to show what I know.
I think that one of the best things about being an adult is being able to find your own teachers in your everyday life, and I think the best thing about being a blogger or a blog reader these days is having so much of an ability to just pull up a chair beside people you enjoy and listen to for as long as you like.
I find most of my teachers in my friendships and online- how do you find your teachers, and what have you been learning lately?
“I try to live in that place of being open to take as much as I can in instead of trying to show what I know.”
You are so awesome! That’s such a great way to learn new things. I’ve learned so much from friends and I’ve been really lucky to have some amazing mentors.
.-= Allie´s last blog ..ADD, Of Mice and Men, and Mrs. X =-.
As the child of teachers and someone who has taught and wants her job to specifically involve much less lab work and much more explaining science, teaching is very close to my heart. Heck, I spent the two and a half hour flight from Boston to MN teaching two juniors in high school what bioengineering was. And it was great.
for some of my favorite teachers: http://findingmykd.blogspot.com/2009/02/unconventional-education-or-why-unique.html
.-= Bridget´s last blog ..April 2010 =-.
I am a learner myself – mostly an academic learner though. I love to learn about anything and everything: may it be math, physics, chemistry, you name it. That’s why I am so on love with iTunes U – the greatest invention in terms of lectures ever!
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Patience. Oh, patience. =-.
I totally agree with you on this post. I find so much inspiration from my friend. One of mine is really good at home decor design and I love just picking her brain about what she has ideas of and has done lately.
I’d say the biggest thing I’ve been learning lately is how to be more independent…and I have Vanessa for that!
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Calgary & Muse =-.
You can find a lesson in almost anything you experience. I try to keep that in mind as much as possible. Sometimes it takes more energy than you have but luckily the universe is relentless and always gives you something to learn. :)
Super cool post. I think I really learn a lot from everyone I meet, whether it’s personally or professionally. I like approaching new relationships anticipating that this new person has a lot to show me! That being said, I get a ton of inspiration and learn a lot from the blogs I follow. <3
.-= Kara´s last blog ..Super dorky video + fun news! =-.
This is a subject I’m always musing over. I love to be busy and I love to learn. I include reading in my “work/busy” list because I’m constantly learning through them no matter whether it’s a biography or a work of pure fiction, there’s always something you can pick out and research and I love it when that research leads you to something else to research.
So for me my teachers are the authors I read that inspire me or the friend that talks about something that I find I want to know more about. Lately I’ve been learning about the Spanish civil war because of Victoria Hislop’s The Return.
.-= Charlie´s last blog ..Quarter Year Movie Round-Up (January – March 2010) =-.
I think I find my teachers (mentors) in my friends, family, and coworkers. I learn something new about myself or about something I always wanted to learn. I’m like you, if I find someone that knows how to do something I have have always wanted to know, I soak in as much as I can from them. Now having bloggy friends it is a lot easier to absorb from other talented people. I love it and love learning everyday!
Lovely post! I think I learn something every day online – the world the internet opens up is amazing. Lately I’ve been trying to look to people who really slow down and enjoy life without letting little things stress them out. That’s a skill I need to practice!
.-= Alli (One Pearl Button)´s last blog ..What I’m Wearing: Sew Along Skirt =-.
I haven’t had as much time to seek out teachers as I would like. But that will change as my hours become more reasonable and manageable. I like taking knitting classes at my local knitting shop. I would like to take language classes so I can work on my French language skills.
And I like learning from all my blog friends! :)
.-= Lisa from Lisa’s Yarns´s last blog ..Blogging Break =-.
this is such a fantastic post! i’m a learner, i love learning. everywhere you turn, there is something new to learn, to discover… and from just about anyone or anything. i crave learning… i want to know something fascinating every day that i didn’t know before. about people. about anything, really! i hope i never stop discovering new things, no matter how big or small. i love that even the littlest things, or the littlest moments in life, can help you discover something great and teach you something amazing and completely inspire you. :)
.-= kelly ann´s last blog ..today’s soundtrack. =-.
I took this quiz from the book called “Strengths Finder 2.0.” My TOP strength was being a “learner.” I loved this post.
I guess that’s also why I teach…I try to instill love of learning in my kids. I get it from my dad. He is my hero and my FAVORITE teacher. :)
I feel my best when I am writing and crafting as well. Whenever I use my hands, I just feel so productive and lovely!!! Hands really are one of the best gifts that God has given us… We can praise Him with them, create things with them, and convey affection with them.
Goodness, hands, what a wonder!!!
I am currently trying to find teachers and mentors for the various things and fields in my life (crafting, writing, designing and photography, Jesus, etc). I am finding them online and in person. Its so interesting that we can now find mentors and teachers online as well as in person.
PS: The fact that you featured doilies in your photo made me absolutely giddy. I am in a HUGE doily inspiration right now… Check out my etsy for the recent craftiness!!!
Wow, long comment.
Sorry to bore you.
:)
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..This Is My Story, This Is My Song… =-.
You couldn’t bore me if you tried, I love how you just bubble over with enthusiasm in everywhere you are online! =)
I try to learn one new thing a day, whether it be a tidbit of trivia, a new fact about a friend, how to apply a theory I’ve learned in school to work, or simply how to bake a new kind of cookie. Thankfully I have my co-workers, family, friends (online and offline alike) to help me in this pursuit. My dad has always said he’s a student of the world; I kind of aspire to be that way too.
Beautiful post as always!
.-= Nora´s last blog ..Whelmed =-.
I always say that you learn something new every day. Just to prove it I started something on my blog a year ago and I’m still learning stuff! :)
.-= DeMo´s last blog ..the rain =-.
Sometimes, I feel like I spend too much time online, but thanks to you, I realize that part of it is the inspiration I get from reading other peoples blogs, their dreams and projects.
It’s a wonderful dialog that is taking place through this wonderful new medium.
I always want to be a perpetual student of life!
.-= san´s last blog ..Honest Scrap Award =-.
You are by far one of my best teachers lately…I am still living off our last Skype & just bursting with ideas. Also, I have been “forced” into having a mentor teacher this year as part of furthering my teaching credential…little did I know, she’s taught me more than just lesson planning and classroom stuff. She’s become a life mentor, too.
I love learning, and I love teaching…it’s such an amazing cycle.
I think I find most of mine online as well! But I also actively seek out real-life people doing what I want to do so that I can bother them in person. I’m like you – I take a class for everything! I find such amazing camaraderie in talking to people in yarn shops and fabric stores. Usually knitting or sewing is the ONLY thing we have in common, but I can talk about intarsia or French seams with those people for hours!
.-= Taryn´s last blog ..Make this: Olive Oil Cake. Perfect for Spring! =-.
I visit your blog daily for this very reason. You have a talent for inspiring good conversations like these :)
.-= Anne-Marie´s last blog ..Spring and all =-.
Oh interesting post, love! I definitely find teachers online – I soak up blogs (like yours) that are written so elegantly and bloggers who have a beautiful writing style. I also have found mentors in some of the women I work with and people I run with! It’s interesting to see, as adults, how mentors and “teachers” come from all kinds of different places!
You are my design work and storytelling teacher. so glad we are friends my dear and SO look forward to seeing all the new things you have up your sleeve! :)
.-= Moorea Seal´s last blog ..This is who I roll with… =-.
Well I’m at university, so it’s easy to find teachers and mentors – lots of my lecturers have knowledge that I want, so I turn to them for advice. But the biggest teacher in my life is my mum – I normally go to her if I need help with crafty and cooking stuff :)
.-= Lizzie´s last blog ..10 simple things in life =-.
I’ve been following you only for a few short months and I think this is the first time I’ve commented. I adore your blog and I would say that you’re quickly becoming a teacher to me.
Thank you for that. :)
Thanks so much Hope! I’m glad you’re enjoying my corner of the internet =)
I love this post, Kyla. Similarly to you, I spend time pouring over the archvies of the bloggers I adore and the people they read. I found some of my greatest life teachers at college where they were my acutal teachers but have become so much more. I find teachers in my friends both online and off. And lately in my two younger cousins who are teenagers.
Your stories have really made me want to hang out with your teenage cousins too! It sounds like it forces a really interesting perspective on the world =)
I totally agree with “ability to just pull up a chair.” I love that about blogging. I also am always trying to learn and find new and different things to do. I want to start spinning and take photography classes and learn all about history. ‘sigh’
.-= Windsor Grace´s last blog ..I have proof that people other people think I’m hilarious…I know, sometimes I question their sanity too =-.
I grew up with parents who always told me to be a lifelong student—always look for opportunities to learn, to grow, to expose myself to something new and interesting and unfamiliar. And I love that they instilled this thinking in me, because, like you, I absolutely love learning from the people and situations around me. The moment you stop seeking opportunities to learn is the moment your forward momentum stands still.
And, sometimes, I find that, cliche as it sounds, the greatest teacher is my very self. If I just take the time to sit with her and really listen.
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..I have fallen behind… =-.
I love the idea of just listening to yourself- that’s something I’ve been doing a lot more lately. You wouldn’t think that it takes as much work as it does! lol