Saturday, January 26, 2008

Time to study?

Contrasted with my feelings of being old, this week I've been pondering the time I have left in my life and the things I can learn. I've got a lifetime left to learn and do things. I've been thinking about taking classes the next time I get an appointment near a major university, or even a good Community College. I could take art, fitness classes, web design (that's definitely a class I wish I'd had the insight to take earlier in my career), preaching with modern media tools, etc. I was also thinking I'd like to learn another language....maybe Korean, or maybe just Italian since it'd be easier! But heck, one could foresee another 50 years in my life, that's more than enough to learn and polish another language and put it to good use. I'd also like to take voice lessons. I've never had voice lessons, I just sing, and on occasion, lead worship music. Wouldn't it be great to actually have some honed ability?!?! I'm pretty sure my congregations would appreciate it! I could take up the piano again, or the flute, or both. I could learn to play the guitar (my stereotype about a good pastor includes abilities with the guitar...by those standards, currently, I am not a good pastor).

Any thoughts? What classes would you take if given the opportunity/time/money? (I've also thought that I could use my liberties as a single, childless person to take advantage of this time...currently no one besides my dog cares if I take night classes and am gone for hours, or if I spend my free time doing homework or singing off-key, and the dog doesn't even mind that one since she can't hear!)

2 comments:

Deb said...

Oh yeah, I'd also like to have pre-martital/marital counseling training as well as continued training for working with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. I've also debated learning sign language and making worship signer/hearing impaired friendly/accessible, and have also considered learning more about mental illness (and ongoing counseling/support for those who wrestle with it) as well as physical and mental disabilities and how the church might be more welcoming and available to these families.

Theresa Coleman said...

I want to learn to play the Cello -- and the guitar...
Voice lessons sound good to...