Lest you think I fell off the planet and bagged this blogging venture, know that I will eventually return and report! (You’ll get the joke if you read on!)
Have you ever reflected back on an unfinished goal? Does it resurface in your thoughts every so often and leave you wondering if you should go down that path again? Perhaps it is something like a ballet class you imagined yourself attending or a book you thought you should write. Maybe it’s an art class you wanted to continue but life took its toll and something had to be sacrificed and once again, your ephemeral goal ended up on the back burner.
I would venture to say that all of us have pursuits we once set our sights on, yet we never made them a priority and thus, they never saw the light of day. I recently have had the pleasure of going back to school to seek a degree after many years of neglect, and I do mean many – 35 to be exact!
Astonishing feelings arose from this endeavor. Immediately, I felt a little fearful that my academic brain might have shut down and I would not be able to restart it or kick it into high gear. Thankfully, I came to the realization that over the years I had matured and knew how to be more disciplined, even if that penciled out into hours of homework each night. Determination surfaced, along with a flicker of hope.
Fast forward to my most dreaded class – mathematics. I bravely attacked that class first, thinking if I can conquer my toughest one, it would increase my confidence, solidify my goal and help me stay my course. Striving to remain positive, I convinced myself that learning about our tax codes and statistics was at least somewhat useful. Acquiring a basic understanding of how to calculate and properly interpret standard deviations and tying that into interpreting a box-and-whisker plot felt a bit like I was enrolled in some foreign language course. I dug in my heels, added more hours of homework and felt over the moon when I finally grasped the concepts. Elation at 1 AM is electrifying to the point where sleep became elusive!
Enduring and pushing myself to succeed brought about a feeling of triumph and jubilation! Seeing a 4.0 GPA propelled me onward and soon I found myself excited to sign up for the next semester. School became intoxicating. Amazement set in and I was hooked! Suddenly learning was no longer a chore I dreaded; instead, it offered wonderment and new insights! News regarding the many galaxies viewed through the Hubble telescope suddenly became quite interesting due to my latest science class. Hearing about various issues in the world left me pondering on how to tie that into my latest essay. My brain cells continued to be energized and life took on more meaning as I gained a deeper understanding of the world around me.
This journey of higher education offers many rewards that I didn’t calculate or foresee. Somewhere along the line, my confidence grew, along with an increased appetite to know more of past and present cultures. In addition, I am now more aware of what natural disasters might occur near me and how I can mitigate their effects. I felt envigored and more alive than I have in many years. I’m so glad I conquered my fears enough to join in the game, even as late as it was. Now I can actively step up to the plate and swing with all I’ve got! I may not hit a home run, but little by little, I am rounding the bases and will make it to home plate and score my degree. I would highly recommend this course of action to anyone desiring to step up their game, conquer a new challenge, or feel more alive!
LoLo's Sunshine 
You are so inspiring! I’m so glad to hear you took on this challenge and have gained so much from it. Sending you our love and support!
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As always Silvia you show up with support. Grateful our paths crossed. Now let’s make a date to make that happen again!!
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I loved your article. It was so well written and describes what happens when we get engaged in learning. It needs to be published for high school kids to read. Maybe they would also turn on more if they saw the joy of learning
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You have been a great tutor Arthella! So grateful you share your knowledge. So kind of you to always be my cheerleader! I love you tons.
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Wow! How exciting! I’m glad to hear you are having such a positive experience. I never even finished my AA before I got married and have meant to do that all these years. Always “someday”. You’ve given me encouragement from what you’re doing. You go girl!!
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So great hearing from you Jo. If I can do it, so can you!! They say learning new things keeps dementia from setting in and that’s another great reason to pick up our heels and learn. I truly miss our deep talks!
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Lois I absolutely loved your article. Reading about your amazing accomplishment in math really touched my heart.
That is something I have always struggled a lot with. you give me hope that I can do hard things. Love you my friend you’re amazing 😘
Wendy Draney
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I tried to be real honest about it as I did struggle with that class, but oh what a feeling to get a top grade when you thought you might fail. Worth the risk in my books. Thank you for being so supportive of me. We need a game night sometime Wendy!
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Way to go Lois! What an insiring adventure. Love you, friend.
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Thanks, Di!! I learn from the best!! Much love, pal.
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When I read your piece I was inspired, not only by what you have done and continue to do, but inspired by your writing talent! I’m thinking these colleges courses should lead you to writing your own book and publishing it! Stay the course, Lois………and thanks for the nudge!
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My Jane, you pour it on pretty thick my friend. Thanks for the sweet words. When are you coming to town?! I hope soon.
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I love your style of writing, as always. Itâs so smooth and fun to read, besides learning more about how youâve been doing, Lois. Iâm so proud of your zeal and accomplishment! You are a very good person who has many interests, very smart, friendly, compassionate and fun, and cute too. Who wouldnât like to have a friend like that!
Itâs wonderful to hear from you Lois. I have thought of you many times.
As for me, Iâm in an emptier house now. My daughter and her family moved to Ohio near the end of June. David, her husband did find a good job after 8 months. They are not required to live in any specific area, as most of the work can be done online, but it does require travelling 20% of the time. Because they were not happy with the Beaverton Schools for their boys, they chose to live in Mason Ohio, 30 minutes distance from Davidâs mom and sister in Cincinnati. They moved near the end of June, after school here ended for their boys. We missed them quite a lot. Cheryl and David are very good at helping us get rid of the clutter and organize things for us, after we, having lived here 33 years. It was a wonderful chance for us to bond with their boys as well.
Now Iâm just enjoying a no rush life style. We still have two sons living here with us, so a family of four instead of eight. Dinner time is less work. Ralph, my husband still teaches mostly computer science part time at PCC. Iâm doing a little more in âministeringâ as you have been, Iâm sure. Life has been good. So good to have the Gospel in our lives, and weâre grateful for so many things, including living in beautiful Oregon.
Take care now, Lois. You are so awesome!
Love,
Vivian
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I miss you Vivian! It was wonderful hearing from you. It was nice hearing about your family and since life has slowed down for you maybe we can get together for lunch. It would be great to see you in person! Love ya my friend!
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As always, you are so talented with your writing. You definitely have a gift. Maybe a book is in your future????
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As always, you never fail to support and gently offer encouragement to tackle the next big thing. Thank you for believing in me, you’re the best!
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