Essay on Integrity: Learning and Life

Submitted By Kennedytuttle
Words: 1424
Pages: 6

I love learning but loathe education. I get a lot of anxiety when faced with a deadline to learn 'x' amount of information. It makes the time I spend in class enjoyable and productive but homework is a disaster and tests even worse. It has causes me a lot of frustration and I know that is not right. However, I am trying to overcome that during my time here at BYU. I want the pattern of learning I am laying right now to continue for the rest of my life. I want to feel confident in my ability to gain all types of education within and without the classroom. I have desired these things before but this book gave me the motivation to not only continue my education but to do well in my classes. It was a stern but gentle reminder. I hope I can keep this drive going as we face finals and the ending of another semester. Hinkley defined education as “the training of the mind and the body”. I really need to apply that to my life better. Sometimes I do only the bare minimum for my classes and only learn the things that I need to get a passing grade, not the complete learning I could achieve if I really worked hard. I don't want this pattern of learning to extend to other areas but feel it very easily could. If I am not careful, I could start doing the bare minimum in my church callings, in my relationships, at work, and taking care of myself, which is quite scary. It is living far below my promised potential. I need to train myself to do better and to continually put forth my best effort. It is clear that Hinkley has a love of learning that has served him very well in his life. He said, “The learning process is endless. We must read, we must observe, we must assimilate, and we must ponder that to which we expose our minds.” He knew what it meant to never put a stop to learning. His patterns of work and learning began very early in life and has allowed him to accomplish all that he has and gain the great trait of wisdom. No one regrets the things they have learned, they regret the lessons they did not learn or that they learned too late. I do not want to feel any regret or remorse when I get to the end of my life. Acquiring knowledge is the first step to attaining wisdom. Hinkley emphasized reading and learning from books in particular. The internet and mobile devices has expanded exponentially since his time and has allowed more information than ever to be shared. Information on every subject is available instantly. This is an opportunity unique to our generation and we must take advantage of it. Hinkley says, “The more we learn, the more we are in a position to learn... if we keep [our minds] sharpened on good literature and uplifting entertainment, if we are constantly interested in learning new things and acquiring new skills, personal development is inevitable”. If we make a habit of learning, it will influence our lives and the lives of our children. Knowledge is a powerful tool and one that we can use as we strive to change the world and really make a difference. People that are regarded as extraordinary or brilliant never started out that way. It usually took them years of hard work and effort to become motivators for change. Becoming these people, according to Hinkley, “will cause the years to pass faster than we might wish but they will be filled with a sweet and wonderful zest that will add flavor to life and power to our personal influence and ability to teach and lead.” We cannot lead or teach with wisdom if we have not first attained the knowledge necessary to do so. Not only secular learning is vital. We must search for and expect spiritual learning as well. It complements and and reinforces all other types of learning. He said that, “I believe that the glory of God is intelligence, and that the Almighty takes delight in our efforts to improve and enrich and enhance our minds.” However, in order for this to take place, we must do our part and put forth the effort of gaining knowledge. After reading this book,