You Learn Something New Every Day
The phrase “you learn something new every day” is often heard, but harder to actually realize.
Over this last week I took on the challenge of writing down one “new” thing that I learned every day.
What came out was a montage of realizations – some from school, some from friends, and some more embarrassing then others (see: Sunday).
As diverse as my days were, the underlying connection they shared opened my eyes to the bigger picture of my thought process and life values.
Here’s a summary of one thing I learned every day:
Wednesday: Physical therapy is not therapeutic, but pesto can help.
Since my high school volleyball days, I have always had problems with my left knee. And it finally manifested a few weeks ago with a slight knee dislocation (or in medical terms: a slight lateral patellar subluxation).
After visiting a doctor, I was all set to begin my first physical therapy session on Wednesday. I quickly realized that it was far from relaxing. My visions of ice baths and massages were replaced with a sweaty hour of leg extensions, lunges and squats.
After visiting my physical terrorist, I raced to the safety of my friends for dinner, where we had a pesto extravaganza.
There was pesto on sandwiches, chicken, crackers, and – dare I admit even – artichokes. At that point I felt like I could put pesto on anything and it would have been delicious.
Maybe it was because of the workout, or spending time with great friends after a rough day, but on Wednesday I decided that pesto can make everything better.
And physical therapy is not therapeutic.
Thursday: There are shared values across all cultures.
My next realization came Thursday in my Media Ethics class taught by Tom Bivins.
The class is usually structured around analysis and discussion, and on Thursday Tom shared with us the three values that all cultures have in common:
1). Caring for the young
2). Truth telling
3). Prohibition against murder
It initially surprised me that all cultures throughout the world could even share three of the same values. But after looking at this list, it made sense that there is some connection between all of us.
After all:
We are all human.
By understanding another culture’s values and morality, one becomes more tolerant of new practices and ideas.
This is increasingly important in advertising and across the global economy, as we are exposed to other cultural norms that we initially may be unfamiliar with.
It was comforting to hear that although societies may be vastly different, humans still consistently maintain three moral values.
Friday: Sorry guys, but you’re not much different than girls.
It’s always been the stereotype:
Girls gossip more than guys.
Especially with college girls – who are portrayed as the mean girls in the corner, huddled in their circle, chatting about everyone else in the room.
Friday night I learned that we can now shatter the stereotype:
Boys gossip, too.
I think the problem lies in the definition of “gossip”; I don’t think gossiping should be considered talking about someone else.
Of course we talk about other people and what they’re doing. What else would we talk about? That doesn’t mean it always has to be bad.
But Friday night I witnessed straight-up male gossiping. Finding myself in a circle of dudes, I casually listened in on their conversations.
“Isn’t that girl dating him?”
“Didn’t he wear that jacket last time?”
Etc.
Sorry guys, but this is me calling you out:
You may be more like girls than you think – and although you might not admit it, you gossip, too.
Saturday: The Portland Timbers Army is pretty awesome.
Saturday I headed up to Portland to spend the weekend with family.
Not being an Oregon native – and being semi-naïve to the professional soccer world – I had never heard of the Portland Timbers.
Heading to the game against Chivas USA, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Who goes to soccer games anyways?
Man, was I wrong.
Not only was the 20,000-person stadium packed to the rim, the Timbers Army was in full swing.
An organized fan section – the Army – took up about a quarter of the stadium. They were always on their feet, leading chants and group dance moves.
It was one of the loudest and craziest group of fans I have ever seen (no offense to Autzen Stadium, which would loyally come in as my personal second place).
It was amazing to be a part of such a group of passionate fans, who still rallied behind their team even after a loss.
On Saturday I learned the value of support and the positive difference it can make to not only a team, but to anyone – win or lose.
Sunday: Trains leave on time.
Not too much to tell here, except that I was racing to my train headed back to Eugene on Sunday.
Luckily I jumped on 20 seconds before they closed the doors.
Who knew those dramatic scenes from movies actually happened.
Needless to say:
Lesson learned.
Monday: There is great value in the power nap.
If you have never taken the time to sneak in a power nap, I highly advise it. And if you are unable to throughout the day, I apologize.
The power nap is the perfect way to get your battery recharged to carry on throughout the day. Taking place around 3pm for 20-to-30 minutes, it does wonders for the mind, body and soul.
On Monday I learned the value of a power nap to overcome the struggles of the first day of the week.
Tuesday: You’re always making a first impression.
On Tuesday – with the help of a friend – I re-realized the importance of always making a good first impression.
Especially on a college campus, you’re making a first impression each and every day through your words and actions.
Although my friend had a positive first impression experience, it made me wonder about the good and the bad ones I could have given off.
Who else noticed my bad attitude in class when I was too hungry and tired to answer a question? Or when I cut in line with my friend at the coffee shop before class?
Tuesday opened up my eyes again to my everyday actions – and how at any time we can be making a first impression.
And I promise I will no longer cut lines.
Wednesday: I need to start giving Eugene more credit.
On a beautiful, sunny Wednesday in Eugene, Oregon, I realized that I don’t always give this town the credit it deserves.
Around campus we are sometimes too quick to write Eugene off as a college town mixed with old hippies and environmental activists.
However, Eugene is so much more (even though I’m not going to lie and tell you that there aren’t a lot of hippies, because there are.)
There are great restaurants, art galleries, concert venues, and there’s always something to do outside.
I think the bigger picture on Wednesday was not only my underestimating Eugene, but failing to take the time to simply appreciate the beauty all around me.
Wednesday was a reinforcement of the importance of appreciating what already surrounds you – and continuing to learn about and explore your environment.
By focusing on one new thing learned every day, I realized that sometimes you do literally learn something new every day.
But also:
Sometimes the things learned and recognized are really just a reinforcement of your values and beliefs.
All these simple thoughts that I recorded seemed to tie into the bigger picture of my character and what I value as important.
They also seemed to reinforce my “creative toolbox” – where I can pull out ideas and thoughts based on past experiences.
Although it was challenging to remember everything at times, I hope in the future to continue looking back on each day and asking myself:
“What new thing did I learn today?”
#everyday
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- by AWSC
- posted at 9:18 am
- June 26, 2012
Great article!