Joy of Learning

“Today, if you realize that you are not as wise as you thought you were yesterday, then you are wiser today”. This is one of the most meaningful quotes I have come across. It's a paradox that the more we learn the more we realize how little we know. 

From here, read it with a dramatic tone or you may imagine me narrating it that way.

I am an aspiring doctor. I spent the past two years preparing for NEET and everyday I had a schedule. Attending classes, studying, practising MCQs and so on. I, definitely, had leisure time but it was all organised. Once Corona decided to mess with our health and life, adjusting to home-schooling was a task but even then it was fine. I got done with NEET a month back and for two to three days I was upset about my performance which wasn't up to my expectations, of course with physics being tricky and thinking about the negative markings. Continuing to be optimistic I pulled myself out of it and decided to enjoy the days watching movies, series, reading novels, hanging out with friends, watching IPL matches, blogging and so much more. A few days went well but I felt weird and unproductive sitting in front of the television for hours and slothing around all day because I was so used to the routine. Sometimes I felt cranky and irritable. I kept asking myself what was bothering me. Here is a short experience that made me realize.

 For a long time, I have been wanting to learn to ride a scooter. Yes, I didn't know how to ride it till a few days back. I was hesitant to ride anything but a cycle for the fear of falling down or having accidents. Now that I have turned 18, I decided to be a little mature and overcame the fear and asked my dad to teach me. Learning something new or doing anything productive should start at a good time. So I started at 6 PM. To begin with, my brain had to process the weight of the scooter, the control of the accelerator and brakes. At first, I couldn't balance the handles and the scooter advanced in all possible directions with varying acceleration thus scaring all the people around. The children from the park saw this and surrounded me and started staring. Sudden attention made me a little uncomfortable but I told myself that, at that moment I didn't know how to ride a scooter but if I didn't learn it then, I won't ever know. So I concentrated and started riding it. Slowly, I got used to balancing the weight and the handle became steady and I started driving at a constant speed. I drove a few rounds around my apartment complex and it felt like the wind patted my back thus appreciating me for riding the scooter independently. The joy I felt at that moment, having accomplished something new, made me realize the value of that knowledge. So it was the joy of learning that I was missing.

Learning for no other reason but to learn has always been a joy to me. Be it a language, subject knowledge, general knowledge, a skill, a game or anything from the ocean of knowledge in this universe, learning it and etching it in our brains makes us feel empowered. As a baby when we first stand, walk, utter our first word, the million-dollar smiles on our parents’ and families’ faces, brings a beautiful smile on our faces too and fill our hearts with true joy. So it is the value of knowledge that gives learning, its joy. 

As children, we all would have clapped for the smallest of our achievements no matter what. I feel we have to continue doing so even as we grow older. Sometimes progress is slowed down due to a lack of appreciation. So we have to appreciate ourselves for our achievements, however small they may be as it has its value.

Now, I fit in a little bit of learning in my everyday leisure time. I am super excited about the college classes that might begin in a month or so.

PS. I thank my friends for constantly supporting me and giving me ideas for the blog. The ANTI RANDOMNESS SQUAD:)