Learning

If we want someone to do something different, we have to give them enough information, knowledge and training to feel supported and confident that they can do what is being asked of them. Learning makes a huge difference.

It is also the way to keep our brains young and vital; and not just simple stuff – we have to learn things that are completely different or something we have never done before.

Even before I learned about this, I had always had a dream to play the harp. I loved harp music but knew nothing about music. I only learned the recorder at school and I hated that which turned me off music forever! Until my Mum died.

From the money she left me, I bought a harp and was blessed to find an extraordinary teacher in Vermont. She is a saint. I want you to picture this -a 53 year old woman who has never played a musical instrument before who keeps asking ‘what are the little dots on the lines’ – who didn’t know what a flat or a melody was! I was blessed that Linda teaches in an exquisite way that allows parts of my brain to activate unconsciously and yet, the lessons are exhausting! All that totally new learning gobbles up oxygen and glucose as my prefrontal cortex -the part you use to learn new things – is working
overtime. That is why many of us find change so uncomfortable – because of the energy expenditure to keep the prefrontal cortex fed while it processes and learns and makes new connections.

It’s amazing how tired I am at the end of just sitting in one spot trying to coordinate 3000 things that she does effortlessly and brilliantly! She sounds fabulous. I sound different!

About