Originally Published September 24,
2003 -- Your Wellness Guide
Education Brings Lasting Joy
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When I
think of the formal education I have received and earned in life,
I’m not only grateful but also see its use every day.
That’s
right. Even the calculus class comes in handy in the result of
critical-thinking skills. But I’ve always had a love for learning
. . . learning just about anything.
I
pride myself on the fact that because of my liberal arts education
(both formal and informal), I find pleasure in having a conversation
with just about anyone -- whether talking about physics or dolphins. |
For me,
education brings a balance into my life -- a sense of awareness,
accomplishment, and happiness.
Long-time
studio musician Keith Benson, who has played for top artists including
Teddy Pendergrass and The Four Tops, recently was able to finish his
Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Thomas Edison State College at the
age of 48.
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Photo Courtesy: Thomas Edison State College
Session Drummer for Philadelphia
International Records Keith Benson returned to school at the age of
48 and has found
lasting happiness through education. |
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“After all that I have done in the arts, nothing has made me
happier than when I received my degree,” Keith told me from
his Jersey home.
Keith works on child outreach programs during his off weeks
and is always stressing education. “One day one of the
children asked me what degree I had, and I had to start tap
dancing like Fred Astaire,” which is when he decided that he
would go back to school.
As associate producer for the film “Standing in the Shadows of
Motown,” which also won two Grammy awards and a New York Film
Critics Circle award, Keith says “I have been fortunate in the
arts. We just got back from a live theater gig at the
Paramount in Los Angeles. It’s a good feeling when the crowds
are screaming. But, when you wake up the next morning, the
crowds and that feeling are gone. |
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“But, now
when I wake up, I have my bachelor’s degree and it still feels good.
Education is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you. To me,
education has been a very tangible source of sustained happiness.”
Pam Pease,
president of Jones International University, says that “pursuit of
knowledge is rewarding in and of itself.”
She says
that if you are open to learning -- motivated and willing to work -- then
you will reap the results and feel intrinsically rewarded. “You will feel
very fulfilled.”
“Education
is one of today’s indicators of personal and professional success,” says
the online university head.
Vickie
Milazzo, CEO of the Houston-based Vickie Milazzo Institute that re-trains
RNs to be self-employed, has strong feelings about the connection between
happiness and education.
“The people
who are the happiest are the ones who are always growing. The only way
you can grow is to learn,” says Vickie.
She says
that no matter your income level or age, there are always possibilities of
learning. And, Vickie promotes learning that is focused and purposeful.
“Today we
have such great access to information on the Internet, audio CDs, and
books. We can get many degrees in our lifetime with our own self-directed
learning.”
Here are
ideas for generating more education opportunities, and happiness, for you:
Discover
your passions
and interest
and spend time learning and developing them
Cut down on
non-directed TV and Internet
time
(including time-wasting chat rooms), freeing up more time for educational
and hobby interests
Teach
a skill, idea, or topic to someone else; teaching helps you learn faster
Attend
community workshops and seminars
to learn
something new
Take time to
read informational signs
at museums and zoos
Finish your
college degree
or start a
new one
Find a
mentor
who can
teach and guide you how to develop your career or business
Read a book
Develop a creative project
with personal meaning
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
www.terrawellington.com
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Wellington