Siggy's Blurbs: Siggy's Edge of Country …

For a long time there were two forms of education I was undergoing:  one, my formal education and the other, the education I was receiving on my own.

All during my schooling I continued to read what I wanted to, whatever came across my path, whatever interested me.  As far back as I can remember I had a library card to the local library and made many trips there.  At home we always had plenty of reading material–magazines and books everywhere.

I did do my school work and received good grades but I had no illusion:  my independent reading was far more important and really my true education.

Yes, it is true some people get educated despite themselves but I always found the time to read whatever came across me and whatever interested me.  I felt most of the time I just went through the motions in most subjects in school.

There were some subjects that interested me particularly in school like Latin and mathematics and biology.  And maybe, I put forth extra effort there.

If the truth be known I was far more interested in participating in gym and in high school playing for the tennis team.  In fact, I was excited that in high school we had gym every day.

I felt these sports instilled an attitude to never give up until the game is over, which was no small lesson to learn which stood me well later in life.

I no longer go to school but I still read widely and for pleasure.  The literal translation of the word “education” comes from the Latin “educare” which means to lead.  Education means “to lead toward”.  It is a process, not an end point, not a degree.  It is an unending journey.  And I am still on it.

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Sometimes people bless you when you least expect them to.  I remember once working at a residential home and taking apart a vacuum cleaner for its passage way was clogged up and thinking nothing of it.

My boss noticed that and commented and praised me for doing that and said in passing another worker is not able to do things like that.

I realized at that point my ability to fix the vacuum cleaner was a gift.  Not everyone can do that.  Sometimes we are so quick to dismiss abilities we have because we know other people can do it better.  Her praise was a gift and blessed me.

Another time I was at my school and showed a teacher some poetry of mine and she rapidly read some of my work and then commented, “I can’t write like that.”  She had multiple degrees and I had none but she blessed me when she said that.

Most of the time people bless you when you least expect it.  We take our own gifts for granted and other people remind us, sometimes, they are really gifts and you have been blessed by them.  Every gift is by grace.  Never forget that.

Tags: abilities are gifts, bless you, blessed by our gifts, boss, college degree, gift is by grace, God, poetry, praise, praise is a gift, residential home, take gifts for granted, teacher, when you least expect it, writing
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