Educate Yourself
It has been a rough 3 weeks as I try to recuperate from my bout of pneumonia. I'm still not done healing and I can't seem to kick this nagging cough. You would think 12 days of antibiotics would heal me pretty effectively, but I was told to give it a good 6 weeks to be back to "normal." Hmmm, who has time for this?
Anyway, in the meantime, I have been trying to rest and that means I have slept a lot. So, no recent blog posts. I hope to rectify that starting today, and that is the importance of continuing your education or becoming a life-learner.
You don't have to go sign up for classes at the local college, but if you have a desire to get a degree and it is a good time for you to pursue that then by all means DO IT!! I'm in my last semester at ASU and I have senior-itis really bad. So bad that I may have lost my desire to wear those special tassels with my gown at graduation that says I had a super great GPA. Yes, it is down to this semester and these last two classes. It has been a tough road, but I'm so appreciative that my family allowed me this opportunity to finish what I started back in the fall of 1989. I will be applying for my sub certificate with a few local school districts in the area and hope to be able to work one day a week until my babies are in school full time. But, that isn't my point...
It is crucial that each woman, married or not, have something they can fall back on in order to help provide for their family if needed...or be working towards something. I have tons of friends who are licensed cosmetologists, work in nursing, keep the books for their husband's business, have their real estate license, etc. Those things are great and I wish I had taken the time to learn something valuable all those years ago. I'm so proud of all my friends who have decided to go back to school recently and those that have actually graduated, go you!
But, my point here is that it isn't too late. With the technology available to us in 2011, there is really no excuse to not be learning something. I have a few suggestions for things you can do to always be learning.
1. Attend your ward relief society meetings. In those meetings over the last 20 years, I have learned to make bread, can peaches, study my scriptures more effectively, become self reliant, teach my children, save money, change the oil in my car and so many more. These classes are chosen based on the needs of your individual ward relief society. Much thought and preparation go into them and they are generally free and also include great socializing and usually dessert:)
2. Take a class at the local community college. I can remember my friend taking her first photography class at MCC and she was so excited. It has only been two years or so since she finished that class and now she has her own photography business alongside her husband and she loves it. What if you took a pottery class and found out you had a knack for creating art with clay? If they are good enough, you could sell them and make a little cash on the side. Consider a writing class and hone up on your reporting skills then start writing for a small newspaper. The possibilities are endless.
3. Maybe you have your degree and just want to continue being a life-learner. Did you know that BYU offers many free online courses that you do at your own pace? http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/free.cfm Who knows, maybe that family history class you take helps you build enough skills that you can offer to help others with their work. Maybe you just want to increase your understanding of the Book of Mormon or other scriptures. Check out what they have to offer.
4. Find out what community courses are being offered at your local library or City Center. In our area, there is an institute class being held every Thursday night and it has become a popular class. The library offers classes on resume writing, computer basics, and how to ace your next job interview. Some classes may come with a small fee, but they are generally free.
5. Do you have a skill or knowledge in a particular field of expertise you can share with others? Consider finding ways to share your knowledge with others. I have a friend who provides a great fireside with her sisters on divine nature and seeing what Heavenly Father sees in you. It is inspirational. I have another friend who has a blog about things she is learning on her path to becoming a marriage counselor. What is it that you can share with others? I guarantee there is something.
Dallin H. Oaks said this in a BYU Devotional in 1975:
Anyway, in the meantime, I have been trying to rest and that means I have slept a lot. So, no recent blog posts. I hope to rectify that starting today, and that is the importance of continuing your education or becoming a life-learner.
You don't have to go sign up for classes at the local college, but if you have a desire to get a degree and it is a good time for you to pursue that then by all means DO IT!! I'm in my last semester at ASU and I have senior-itis really bad. So bad that I may have lost my desire to wear those special tassels with my gown at graduation that says I had a super great GPA. Yes, it is down to this semester and these last two classes. It has been a tough road, but I'm so appreciative that my family allowed me this opportunity to finish what I started back in the fall of 1989. I will be applying for my sub certificate with a few local school districts in the area and hope to be able to work one day a week until my babies are in school full time. But, that isn't my point...
It is crucial that each woman, married or not, have something they can fall back on in order to help provide for their family if needed...or be working towards something. I have tons of friends who are licensed cosmetologists, work in nursing, keep the books for their husband's business, have their real estate license, etc. Those things are great and I wish I had taken the time to learn something valuable all those years ago. I'm so proud of all my friends who have decided to go back to school recently and those that have actually graduated, go you!
But, my point here is that it isn't too late. With the technology available to us in 2011, there is really no excuse to not be learning something. I have a few suggestions for things you can do to always be learning.
1. Attend your ward relief society meetings. In those meetings over the last 20 years, I have learned to make bread, can peaches, study my scriptures more effectively, become self reliant, teach my children, save money, change the oil in my car and so many more. These classes are chosen based on the needs of your individual ward relief society. Much thought and preparation go into them and they are generally free and also include great socializing and usually dessert:)
2. Take a class at the local community college. I can remember my friend taking her first photography class at MCC and she was so excited. It has only been two years or so since she finished that class and now she has her own photography business alongside her husband and she loves it. What if you took a pottery class and found out you had a knack for creating art with clay? If they are good enough, you could sell them and make a little cash on the side. Consider a writing class and hone up on your reporting skills then start writing for a small newspaper. The possibilities are endless.
3. Maybe you have your degree and just want to continue being a life-learner. Did you know that BYU offers many free online courses that you do at your own pace? http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/free.cfm Who knows, maybe that family history class you take helps you build enough skills that you can offer to help others with their work. Maybe you just want to increase your understanding of the Book of Mormon or other scriptures. Check out what they have to offer.
4. Find out what community courses are being offered at your local library or City Center. In our area, there is an institute class being held every Thursday night and it has become a popular class. The library offers classes on resume writing, computer basics, and how to ace your next job interview. Some classes may come with a small fee, but they are generally free.
5. Do you have a skill or knowledge in a particular field of expertise you can share with others? Consider finding ways to share your knowledge with others. I have a friend who provides a great fireside with her sisters on divine nature and seeing what Heavenly Father sees in you. It is inspirational. I have another friend who has a blog about things she is learning on her path to becoming a marriage counselor. What is it that you can share with others? I guarantee there is something.
Dallin H. Oaks said this in a BYU Devotional in 1975:
"Education should improve our minds, strengthen our bodies, heighten our cultural awareness, and increase our spirituality. It should prepare us for greater service to the human family. Such an education will improve a woman’s ability to function as an informed and effective teacher of her sons and daughters, and as a worthy and wise counselor and companion to her husband."
And that's all I am going to say about that.
This is a great post. I totally agree with it. That is one thing my parents stressed was for their daughters to have a SKILL to fall back on... and all 4 of us have been put in the situation where we needed to either be the breadwinner or supplement our husband's incomes at different times. There are definitely several ways to educate yourself that aren't necessarily in a formal education setting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post Stacy! I loved reading every word. I can totally relate to your push for education right now. I am so glad I finally am on the road again to attaining my degree. I am also thankful for the opportunity I have had to share my testimony of divine nature to so many fellow sisters. :-) I love the quote by Dallin H. Oakes. Pretty much sums it all up. You are awesome. Unbeknownst to you, you were one of my inspirations of going back to school. I am so excited for you to be done this semester. Stay strong girl! You can do it.
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