All education is not in formal schooling. There is something to be learned every day and in almost every situation. Being aware of a lack of knowledge, being open to a learning experience, becomes a way of life. Indeed, that awareness is the first step to truly opening oneself up for learning new things. One can learn from any situation, conversation, or observation just by paying attention.
Incorporating a need to learn into the art of doing time (yes, it is an art in my opinion) means one’s mind never becomes stale, or set in its ways, and is constantly expanding. A language that ceases to grow and expand to encompass modern life is considered a “dead” language. This holds true for the human mind: when the mind ceases to grow, it is “dead” or, at least, obsolete. I may be wrong (won’t be the first time), but I am almost positive this holds true whether one is free or imprisoned.
I learn something every day from some print, talk, or experience. I have learned to listen when someone talks, to stop and observe whenever something happens around me, and to actively seek ways to expand.
In much of what I say about doing time you will find it often loops right back to this: learn, be open, grow, never stagnate, and embrace change.
