I learned it myself
Or did I?
Do we really ever learn anything by ourselves? I've been on this earth for over four decades. I've learned so much, but was any of it really on my own?
One of the first things that I can remember ever wanting to learn was golf. As a kid, I grew up surrounded by farm land. I used to trek around in the swamp by my house just like Tom or Huck, without a care in the world. When I was twelve the farm where my boyhood home sat, was turned into a golf course. I was devastated at first, but soon learned to love the game and forgot all about my previous pastime of trekking through the swamp.
I’d get off the bus each afternoon, toss my book bag down, grab my golf bag out of the carport, and walk 9 holes before I’d even think of supper or homework. At first, I’d learned the game with just a seven iron. I’d had to master it before I was allowed to use any other clubs—oh yeah that’s right, my Dad taught me how to play golf. Not to mention the hundred lessons I’ve had over the years since. Well strike that, I guess I didn’t learn it myself.
What was the first thing you can remember wanting to learn? Who taught you? Let me know in the comments!
Okay then, so have I learned anything on my own? Mrs. Joiner taught me to swim. Papa taught me to shoot, Mom to ride a bike, and Dad to drive his old truck. My grandmother taught me love, patience, and temperance—although it’d be 30 years before I’d realize it. Mr. Randy, and Greg taught me how to sell, and Chris how to manage a sales team when I moved to Athens.
Oh wait, what about Athens? I did that.
At 21, I moved to Athens, GA and started a new career. I’d thought my marriage was over and was going nowhere fast—doing more drinking and drugging than eating. My sweetheart and I were separated and just waiting to sign the divorce papers when I told her I was going to move away. That changed everything. She and our daughter went with me to Athens, which saved our marriage. Great for us! But not so good for this essay, ha ha, I guess I didn’t do that on my own either...
What about my journey through Mexico? I was alone for over six months, and didn’t speak a word of Spanish. Surely I did that on my own, right?
I drove from Brownsville Texas—down the Mexican Gulf Coast to Veracruz. Then after being warned it was too dangerous to continue south; I crossed over to Mexico City, before ending up at the southwestern most point in Mexico, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Yes, I was crazy—and not once did anyone I met along the way fail to tell me so. Which brings me to my point, all though I was alone the whole trip—I never could have made it on my own. There is no doubt in my mind, that had I not heeded the advice of many locals along the way, I never would have made it through alive.
I could say that I’m learning this craft of writing on my own—but that’d be far from the truth too. Or would it? I am the one doing it. I went back to school. I’m studying, and doing the research—I’m the one who’s showing up every day and putting in the work.
But then again, I am only able to do my part. Wasn’t my daughter integral in me making the decision to go after my dream? After all, it was while we were discussing her future that I actually made the decision to go after mine. And what about the professors and other writers that I’m studying? Do they not play a role in my learning and improvement? What about this amazing community—this perpetual artist’s retreat that is Substack? I’ve grown so much as a writer in just four months of publishing here.
We humans are social creatures. We, I believe, were made to help one another—to work together, and to learn from one another. So while I no doubt have learned many things myself, I cannot take the credit solely on my own.
“The only true wisdom, is knowing that you know nothing.” -Socrates
Without others to learn from and share with, there’d be no point in any of it. So I am truly thankful to everyone else who has taught, or simply been there with me along the way. Let’s continue to teach, learn, and share with one another.
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