Skating Uphill - January 2023

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

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“They say the best teachers are good learners,
and you should learn something new
every day.”
– The Uphill Skater –

 
Being schooled, getting trained, taking lessons—these scenarios conjure up some old corny cliches for me. They say the best teachers are good learners, and you should learn something new every day. They also say you are never too old to learn, and we go to school every day of our lives. I happen to be a big fan of corny old sayings, and especially some of these, because they are all, to my mind, somewhat true. 

Back in the day, I was a teacher, and I loved it! Even though I no longer work, I am still teaching. I taught my grandson how to read; I taught my dog how to fetch; and I taught my neighbor how to crochet. That may not sound like much, but as a benefit of all of this, I learned a great deal.

I learned that children’s stories today are relevant and interesting. I write stories for children as a blogger, and I have changed my style and focus. I am loving it more now than ever. Training my dog taught me that instructions in a dog book may not suit your particular dog. And, I learned from teaching my crocheting neighbor that she is quite a lovely person whose company I really enjoy.  

I also know sometimes getting your butt off the sofa and going out to take a class can be tough. Sometimes an on-line class can be a challenge. Yes, even classes at the community center can be out of your comfort zone. Remember though, anything you learn, any knowledge you gain, is a gift to you. It belongs to you, and no one can take it away.

Off-the-wall classes are especially fun, too. One of my favorites was a class I took at Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island. A young Gullah woman taught a class on making sweet grass baskets. She was such a good teacher that not only did we all have a basket to take home, we also had quite a history lesson in Gullah culture. Win-win!

Another favorite class I took, believe it or not, was a series of lessons from Weight Watchers. It was about good nutrition and calorie-dense foods. This one class opened not only a whole new set of questions and things I wanted to know, but also a years-long hobby as a freelance writer and blogger on the topic of leading a healthy lifestyle. As a side benefit, I have lost over 50 pounds from those early days and kept it off. When you really soak in the knowledge, it can be a life-changer!

I am inviting you in this article to become more schooled. It is a “DIY” project. Look around for something you find of interest. You may even just read a book about something that catches your fancy. If this is the case, I suggest you somehow share your new knowledge. Join a book club. Get out and learn. Volunteer in a local school, or at the Boys and Girls Club. Learning from children is such a joy. If you have a talent, share it. When you teach others how to do something, or how to master something, your students just might teach you something, too. This is especially true with high school kids—do they ever know things! 

In these days of YouTube, on-line schools, Zoom and even on-line universities, there is no excuse to not fill yourself with information. I read two newspapers daily, watch a TV news broadcast and read the online news. I am currently reading a series of murder mysteries set in the 1920s, which has taught me a lot about those times in London.

So, I repeat myself: Get your butt off the sofa, open your mind and get schooled!

Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas. Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.

Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and Girls' Club. Judith is also a long-time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others, balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her blog www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.

Though I do tons of research, and have done so for many years, I am not a doctor and I share only my opinions. I enjoy research and subscribe to several magazines and publications and read up on all new trends. I hope you do, too!

 

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