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Become a Life-Long Learner

There are an awful lot of folks out there who swear that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And, there are plenty of “old dogs” who would agree. After all, with years of experience under their belts, what more can they learn or do they even want to learn?

Generally, when people think “learning,” they envision “classroom,” but a true lifelong learner can tell you that more of life’s lessons are learned outside, rather than inside, a four-walled room with a teacher. Teachers are everywhere, if you have the desire and the “sight” to see them and continuing education of any kind is good for your spirit and for your brain.

What are some of the things you can do to become a lifelong learner? Here are some suggestions:

• Take a course, in something you have an interest, either online or in a classroom at a local community college or adult school. There are so many subjects to study and you can even pick up a new hobby (photography, cooking, painting, scrapbooking, creative writing), a new language, a new skill (even many home-improvement stores offer free weekly classes), a new sport (golf, tennis) or learn about a topic that has some practical application in your life (investing, how to buy/sell real estate)

• Read a book or join a book club that meets once a month for a stimulating exchange of ideas and viewpoints

• Go to a movie with a friend so you can discuss it afterwards – try a documentary!

• Read a paper everyday to find out what’s going on in the world around you

• Use a computer search engine (Google, msn, yahoo, etc.) to learn what’s out on the Web about a topic that interests you – even “lifetime learning”!

• Play bridge, do a crossword puzzle or play an online game, such as backgammon, to keep your brain active and alive

What does lifelong learning offer you? Well, according to researchers at the University of Toronto, learning not only adds to the quality of your life, it’s also good for your brain. Learning helps to protect the brain from some of the negative effects of aging, such as memory loss, by creating alternate neural pathways that stimulate thought processes.

Want to stay vibrant longer, guard against memory loss, and maintain a sense of purpose as you age – then get started, or continue, on the path of lifetime learning. Your brain will thank you for it!