When I’m not traveling the world or exploring a new section of forest, you can often find me with my nose in a book. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an insatiable lust for learning, for opening my mind and for furthering my ability to think and reason. Since it’s wintertime, I’ve been particularly aggressive in my drive knowledge, reading thirty books in the first forty days of 2018. Some are audio books, but my point stands.
There’s just something about the feeling of a new way of thinking. When you travel to a new country, especially one that speaks a foreign language to your own, there is a certain respect and understanding one must have to tread well and to be informed. Reading about that culture ahead of time allows for a traveler to fully immerse him or herself in the place. Without that, you will be missing something. I’ve done it both ways, travel to a new place with the merest of understandings, where I watch and gain respect through personal experience, which is a beautiful way to travel. And I’ve traveled to a country that I had engrossed myself in its history and culture and beliefs, and since I’ve done the tourist thing many years ago and since have found the greatest joy in a hybrid style of travel, where I continue to travel slow and to watch and interpret, while also understanding what I’m watching for.
Beyond travel, an insatiable lust for knowledge will always assist in ones ability to see the truth of the world, and its politics, as well as how one can approach everyday life in a positive, rewarding, and fulfilling way. Without constant growth, there is stagnation and infestation of misinformation and false perspectives. That is why I seek out as many outlets and points of view as I can, because it pushes me to rethink my views, the way I treat others and understand their behavior, while also inspiring deep, transformative thought and inward exploration. This is necessary for leading a happy and grounded life with a deep-seated understanding of truth and reality.
I take full advantage of my local library system. Additionally, I like finding good deals on thrift book sites. But perhaps most influential is audio books and audio courses. Audible has been a reliable and easy to use source, especially when I’m traveling. And Audible is actually how I found out about the Great Courses program, which is a service that brings university professors into your living room or onto your phone. They offer audio and video courses from some of the greatest minds, who explore a wide range of subjects, from botany to philosophy, as well as science, health, travel, fine arts, language, history, and beyond.
Currently, I’m taking one of their botany courses. Difficulty levels range, but the beauty of the service is that there’s so much to learn from, and you can go at it at your own pace. AND there’s no homework! Woot. Overall, I found the approach to be comforting and the professors to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic and comprehensive in their presentations. With a handy app, you can download or stream courses that fit your interest and level of commitment. The Great Courses Plus comes out with new courses all the time, and right now, you can choose from hundreds of different college classes, and stream within seconds. Amazing, right?
If you would like to learn more about the Great Courses Plus, click here.
Beyond travel, an insatiable lust for knowledge will always assist in ones ability to see the truth of the world, and its politics, as well as how one can approach everyday life in a positive, rewarding, and fulfilling way. Without constant growth, there is stagnation and infestation of misinformation and false perspectives. That is why I seek out as many outlets and points of view as I can, because it pushes me to rethink my views, the way I treat others and understand their behavior, while also inspiring deep, transformative thought and inward exploration. This is necessary for leading a happy and grounded life with a deep-seated understanding of truth and reality.
I take full advantage of my local library system. Additionally, I like finding good deals on thrift book sites. But perhaps most influential is audio books and audio courses. Audible has been a reliable and easy to use source, especially when I’m traveling. And Audible is actually how I found out about the Great Courses program, which is a service that brings university professors into your living room or onto your phone. They offer audio and video courses from some of the greatest minds, who explore a wide range of subjects, from botany to philosophy, as well as science, health, travel, fine arts, language, history, and beyond.
Currently, I’m taking one of their botany courses. Difficulty levels range, but the beauty of the service is that there’s so much to learn from, and you can go at it at your own pace. AND there’s no homework! Woot. Overall, I found the approach to be comforting and the professors to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic and comprehensive in their presentations. With a handy app, you can download or stream courses that fit your interest and level of commitment. The Great Courses Plus comes out with new courses all the time, and right now, you can choose from hundreds of different college classes, and stream within seconds. Amazing, right?
If you would like to learn more about the Great Courses Plus, click here.
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