One of the things I enjoy most about my work is the constant opportunity to learn new things.  I am fascinated by how people learn - not the intellectual learning that is emphasized in our educational system, but how people develop new capacities to create productive and meaningful lives. 

My kids are my best role models for how we learn the more practical stuff of life.  My three-year-old son is constantly experimenting and trying new things.  He is openly curious and intrigued and seems to view life as one big experiment. Whether he is pouring water on the floor or putting his shoes on the wrong feet, he delights from each experience. 

In contrast, my 5-year-old daughter has quite a different relationship with learning.  Whether she is tying her shoes or learning to read, she seems to be motivated more by mastery than experimentation.   Her dogged persistence (often accompanied by outraged howls when she gets stuck) may be difficult for me to watch as a parent.  But when I catch my breath and view her strong will as a natural hunger to do things well, I am inspired.  

I don’t know whether my son and daughter’s different approaches to learning are due to temperament or age, perhaps it’s a little of both.  What I do know is that there is something wonderful about the example that each one sets for me. 

When I take my son’s approach and view each failure as a delightful surprise and an opportunity to try things differently, I feel more connected to life itself.  I am able to stay open to my own and my clients' experiences rather than judging each one as a success or failure.   When I take my daughter’s approach I tap into my own strong desire to not only learn new things but to do them well. 

I’m also reminded of how important it is to honor our natural gifts and passions when we are learning something new.  This allows us to not only excel, but to enjoy ourselves along the way.