Learn and move on

You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.

~ Sarah Blake

Over the last couple of years, our son has attended an annual mindset upgrade event. It exposed him to content he aspired to learn and helped him connect with like-minded people.

This year, when asked how it went, he said, “It was nice initially, but upon reflecting, it felt like going back to high school, only to find out there was nothing left to learn.”

I get that. Earlier this year we attended a wedding in New York City. We drove through Lenox, Massachusetts, and spent a few days at a wellness resort I had the privilege of attending for the first time twenty years ago.

Having learned much from highly qualified doctors on staff then, I eagerly recommended the place to countless like-minded people. But, like our son, this time it felt like there was not much left to learn there.

It happens. In order to grow, sometimes we have to leave behind what no longer serves us. Learn and move on.

As the five weeks of looking after our granddaughters come to an end, I have learned more by contributing to their well-being than I could have through formal education. They challenged me to become less of a perfectionist, more resilient and, most importantly, even more patient.

Patience helps one respond rationally and thoughtfully when triggered.