A Lifelong Learner – My Dearest Mom
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 7.9.2018
July 9 was the date my dearest mother left us to be in a better world 14 years ago. Many sweet memories of Mom are still deeply ingrained in my heart. One thing that stood out and impacted me the most was Mom’s lifelong learning.
Mom grew up in a rural village and did not get any formal education in her youth. So she decided to learn to write and read along with us when we entered elementary school. In order to encourage us to learn various sports, she took up swimming, roller skating, and badminton with us. Neighbors were amazed at how much fun our family had together. Mom always emphasized learning new skills, not competition.
Later in her life, in addition to studying Buddhism, Mom took on even more learning by joining new clubs and making new friends. She was the “big sister, or happy Nai Nai” in her Chi-Pao making class and handbag sewing class. Her ability in Tai Chi and various yoga poses inspired many younger people to try harder.
Somehow Mom’s attitude towards learning is still running strong in our family. Our daughters, son-in-laws, and grandkids are all engaged in various types of hobbies and learning. We have a floral designer, painter, teacher, photographer, Broadway actress, mountain biker, golfers, ballet dancers, soccer players, piano players, and swimmers. Our household is full of activities and new learnings on a daily basis. Mom would have been very proud of us.
Lifelong learners seem to be happier and healthier. Seeing one’s learning bear the fruits of success is most gratifying. With the advent of the digital world, and the availability of free instructional videos, learning is becoming so much more convenient and affordable. For the more serious learner, finding a personal instructor or trainer to tailor to one’s capability and interest is also becoming easier.
It is said that “learning keeps us young.” That is so true. Let’s start the learning journey, stay young mentally and physically, grow our capability, and realize our full potential.
Mom would look down upon us with a big encouraging smile.
終身的學習—致最親愛的母親
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
7月9日是我最親愛的母親在14年前離開我們到更美好的世界的日子。許多有關母親的美好回憶，仍深深的烙印在我心裡。其中一件讓我印象深刻的事情，就是她對於學習的終身態度。
我的母親從小在鄉下長大，年輕時沒有受過什麼正式教育。於是，當我們上小學時，她決定跟著我們一起學習寫字跟閱讀。為了要鼓勵我們學習各種運動，她跟我們一起開始游泳、溜冰、打羽毛球。連鄰居們都很訝異，說我們一家子居然在一起玩樂。我母親總強調，是要學習新的技能、而不是為了要跟誰競爭。
晚年的時候，除了學佛，她還參加一些俱樂部參與學習、結交新朋友。在她上過的旗袍製作及手製包裁縫課中，她就像是一個大姊姊、一個快樂的奶奶。她在太極拳跟各種瑜珈的動作能力，更是激勵了許多年輕人。
不知為什麼，我母親的這種學習態度，對於自家人有很強大的影響。我的女兒們、女婿們及孫子們，都相當喜愛學習新事物。於是，我們家裡有花藝設計師、畫家、老師、攝影師、百老匯女演員、越野單車手、足球員、鋼琴演奏者、游泳者。全家人每天都有滿滿的活動以及新的學習。我想母親一定會為我們感到驕傲。
熱愛學習的人好像會更快樂、更健康。看到一個人透過學習並因此得到成功的那種滿足感，是讓人最開心的。隨著數位化世界的到來，以及各式免費教學的頻道出現，學習變得更加方便且實惠。對於更認真的學習者，找一個私人教練或培訓師來制定一個人的能力與興趣，也變得更為容易。
有人說，”學習能讓能人變年輕”。這是真的。讓我們開始學習之旅，在精神和身體上保持年輕，發展我們的能量、並充分發揮我們的潛力。我想我的母親會在天上看著我們，還會給我們一個充滿鼓勵的微笑！
