Eclectic: Regina - Learning New Skills Might Stimulate Us

Regina

By Regina Price

During the last few years, I became aware that learning is lots of fun and it makes our life more meaningful and exciting. There are loads of things that might interest — we are all very different and we learn things in different ways — and we are interested in different things.

We have a friend staying with us for two months and she has very different ideas and ways of doing things that are not similar like mine. Watching her and listening to her makes me learn new ways of thinking about things I haven’t tried before. Her way of cooking and her ideas has made me very enthused.

Sometimes, we when watch shows on TV, the people talking can open our eyes about things we didn’t think about it earlier. The shows where you can find out about how exercise can help us and what things are best for us, including for food and medication. These talk shows and documentaries can be very helpful.

Also, because of my aphasia and speech problems, I ended up in a group of people who love to learn to sing every week. Being in this group makes me smile and makes my spirit happy and enthused. I am learning new things about singing and breath and music notes and this expands my brain and my confidence.

Sometimes there are programs at the library like seeing movies, playing scrabble, talking about a book. This can be very nice — meeting new people and listening and sometimes talking.

Some people like to be outside — no matter what the weather is, the air can invigorate us. This means cross-country skiing, walking, enjoying the scenery while sitting on a bench.

Other people enjoy going to a gym. I decided I could do this as well. When I went yesterday there were different people with different disabilities and they are getting healthier by using parts of their bodies in exercising the muscles and their minds.

Another thing, which might enthuse us, is doing painting pictures or other crafty things, or houseplant gardening. I met people growing orchards during the winter, which excited them. The list grows as we think about things we might enjoy …