Learn and Grow OR Stop and Die

Whatever happens, good or bad, life still goes on. Whatever fears there are, we either conquer them or remain hostage to them.

Towards the end of last month I was dreading the thought of attending a bootcamp. I would have to spend more than 12 hours each day out of the apartment, lugging my computer, my packed lunch, water bottle, jacket and writing materials on the MRT to the venue, more than an hour’s ride away with three changes along the way. Some of the stations where you need to get onto another line were quite a distance away and walking in a large crowd of people hurrying to work is totally different from what I’m used to, back home. And, I would have to do it alone!

Apart from this was the nagging fear of whether I would be able to cope, since I’m a techno dummy. I’m no good with gadgets, hopeless at anything technical and aging grey matter doesn’t help at all. Would I be able to keep up with people who are tech savvy and much younger, so much faster to grasp and learn things? I was comforted by the promise of the trainers that no one gets left behind.

So I gingerly eased my toe into the beguiling waters of IT, learning how to do stuff that I did read about but never quite understood how it worked. Thanks to my partner, a lovely young lady from Thailand who sat next to me, I was able to follow most of the stuff that was taught. It was only the frame though and we will have to delve more into the nitty gritty on our own to flesh it out.

Before I knew it the week passed! I had survived the camp and I made new friends! Long toilet queues are a thing of the past. Yaay!

Returning home was good and it was easy to slip into the usual routine except that there are loads to do now. The frame has to be filled out and the learning is a big challenge. It’s all up to me, quite a frightening thought. If I choose to do nothing, then I would have wasted the experiences of that week.

So here’s to more learning. “If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” This is one of the things that I learned. Learning is a beautiful experience, when you get that “Aha!” moment. Frustration is part of learning but patience and perseverance will help propel us to success. I think it’s wonderful to write and then have people whom you don’t know, comment on what you’ve written. The world wide web is a wonderful place, mysterious and exciting for those ready and eager to explore.

Please click on the title of this post and take a look. If you like what you see, please leave a comment. Cheers!

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