I got your attention with that title, didn't I? Well, it's a quote from humorist Will Rogers -I got it from a friend and I've been trying to figure out, into which category, do I fit.
“There are three kinds of people. The ones who learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to piss on the electric fence for themselves.”
You, by now know, I'm not much of a reader. Wish I had been because I'd be writing books now instead of blogs. Reading would certainly have expanded my view of the world and grown my vocabulary.
I've learned plenty by observing. Seeing how my folks raised kids certainly gave me ideas on how I wanted to raise mine. Watching my Grandma make soup years ago influenced me in the kitchen and gave me my love of cooking. Watching the many football and basketball games the boys played and coached in should have probably taught me more about those sports...but I'm a talker... Sorry, boys, I can't help it if I have a short attention span...
I probably fall into the "have to piss on an electric fence" group more than I should...as most folks would, if they think about it.
We're born into this world with zero knowledge, zero experience, zero sense. I'm one of those who have to practically be hit on the head with a hammer to get some things. But it was probably trying things and failing that has taught me the most.
My list is quite extensive - I had to "piss on quite a few electric fences" before I gained the knowledge and experience or figured out how to overcome some of my deficits. But the neat thing about life is we DO gain that experience, we DO learn, we DO figure out what 's right, what will work and what doesn't. It may take a lifetime, but we, hopefully, get it, eventually.
Sometimes, I wish I could transmit my knowledge and experience to my kids, my grandkids or anyone who's trying to make their way. But I can't. They have to "piss on their own electric fence" and "get it" as we all have. I just hope it doesn't take them as long.
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