The Lifelong Learner :: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -Roosevelt ::

I discovered something new yesterday (wow, I’m learning a lot lately). I’m mostly discovering things I don’t know but probably should know. That may not be so funny, but that’s how it is: I don’t know a lot of things, sometimes even the most basic. But that’s why I learn and want to continue to learn for the rest of my life: lifelong learner?

What did I discover yesterday? Russian literature. Neven knew it was great — considered the best by many. Mainly, I discovered Tolstoy, Checkov, and Dostoevsky. Sound familiar? When I asked my wife, she said that of course she knows them. She does not remember any works by them, only that she had to read them and that she thinks that their literary works are tough to read. Well, that’s not what I discovered about them. Brenda Ueland, the author of If You Want to Write, book I’m currently reading, said that those were her favorite authors, mostly because they spoke the truth and wrote simple.

(If I’m on the topic of writing, that books is a gem. I’m learning that I should be writing from the heart. I should write of what I think, the way I see things, not the way I should see them. I am going to try to do that.)

So I got interested in the great Russian authors. I just ordered two books from them that contain a lot of their best short stories: Great Short Works of Leo Tolstoy and The Best Short Stories of Fyodor Dostoevsky (I want to read Notes from Underground right away). I’ll see if I fall in love with them as well. Judging by my enthusiasm level, which is high, I think I will.

I’m into history lately. And that’s only since I started listening to audio books. American revolution, the independence movement. Those were very interesting times. America was founded by several outstanding individuals: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington. Those are the ones that I came across. It’s fascinating to hear these stories. And you know what? I’m bad in history. I don’t know a lot of stuff. I’m learning a lot.

David McCullough is an interesting author, historian. If you ever get to read/listen his books, do so. You will be fascinated. Ever since I listened to his book on John Adams I’m in love with him. He knows how to capture your attention. On my must listen are his works: “The Johnstown Flood,” “The Path Between the Seas,” “The Great Bridge,” “Truman,” and “Mornings on Horseback.” Those are all excellent I hear.

I’m also into listening to biographies. I learn a lot from them. I like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin. They were very special people. They were constant learners, book lovers. They accomplished a lot in their lives.

I’m going to listen to more history, more biographies. Fascinating stuff.