I've completed the first two items on the list. I read the blog about the program, and must say that I'm looking forward to learning those things on the list that I know nothing about, as they are things that I've always wanted to learn but never given myself the time to do so. I also watched the Lifelong Learning tutorial.

Lifelong learning is a huge priority for me, as my grandmother's mind has been ravaged by Alzheimer's and I plan to do everything I can to preserve my cognitive abilities. Lifelong learning is the first key offered in staying mentally active in the Alzheimer's Association's Maintain Your Brain campaign. One of the points stressed in the Lifelong Learning tutorial that really stayed with me is that with lifelong learning, YOU are in control of YOUR outcome. That's really important to understand. It seems that many people in this area have been bitten by the cynicism bug. In an area that at times seems filled with pessimism and depression, it's often difficult to find people that follow up their complaints with action. One of my pet peeves is when people whine about their circumstances, but do nothing to change them. If we can only get people to grasp the fact they THEY control the outcomes of their lives, our world could be a very different place.

The easiest of the habits for me is number three: View Problems as Challenges. I strongly believe that adversity breeds strength, and while it may be difficult to realize while you are dealing with a "problem", every situation offers an opportunity for growth and learning. It took many of those adverse situations for me to be able to come to the point where I now realize that I am a better person and appreciate things in life more because of the challenges I've faced to this point in my life.

Habit number four (Have Confidence in Yourself as a Competent, Effective Learner) is the biggest challenge for me. While I have great patience for others, I have very little for myself. I get very easily frustrated with myself if I don't catch on to a new concept quickly, and oftentimes will just give up or avoid situations in which I don't think I will be successful. Somewhat hypocritical after having stated previously that I know that every situation in life is a learning experience, but hey, why frustrate myself if I don't have to? Haha! I lack confidence in my abilities and knowledge, and realizing the root of my fears, it's something I'm working on to change.

I did briefly go through the Learning Contract, and what seemed most important to me were the goal and the signature. My goal is to be able to complete and become proficient in all twenty three things. The signature struck me as being important because it means that I am making a commitment to myself. As a wife, mother, friend, sister and employee, my societal roles leave me little time to do anything for myself. Realizing that this is a choice that I make, rather than something that is forced upon me, I am making the choice to give myself the time to learn these twenty three things, and hopefully be inspired to learn more once I am finished.