The Side Effects of Endorphins

When I worked at Bonneville Power, there was a common expression going around. We all talked about being lifelong learners. I do like that term, but I find it to be overused. Lifelong learner seems like a double redundancy of sorts.

Can you imagine walking around the planet and not learning a thing? We are learning all the time in small increments.

I spoke about this previously and growing within a relationship. That is personal growth as well. and it is important. I have got so much better at communication.

Day after day, we grow in small increments that are difficult to recognize. For some, that can make personal journeys difficult to stick with. One journey I’ve had is learning the German language. I’m heading there again at the beginning of July. I feel my German has come a long way. I am watching television series in German and I have read a book or two in German. This day-to-day progression is then measured in one large discrete step. Yes another trip to Germany.. I know the natives will attempt to switch to English, but I will be able to measure it with my self-confidence to speak it. There I go again dangling participles.

And in a way I’ve grown in my patience with the process. I will get there in time, but I don’t even know where there is.

The Writer In Me

I do not describe myself as a writer, rather someone who enjoys to tell stories. This is another example of growing in microscopic increments that one hardly notices. Yes I still misplace metaphors, dangle participles, and switch occasionally from tense to tense. But in a sense I have found my voice. .

The Realist in Me

The past four months have been a whirlwind. Within that whirling dervish , I have remained calm. and focused. which is a win in itself.

I can’t say that I’ve had measurable growth, but I know it is happening. I know I’ve changed and who knows if for better or worse. I am now retired and it’s a new world with no job reviews or colleagues to get along with. So right now it’s like comparing apple cider to papaya crates.