It’s true! We all have something we live with. ABL is one of those things that is not only a big part of my life, but a part of those around me too. And not by choice. Let me fill you in…
If you have never heard of ABL, you’re like most of the world. The majority of the population is born, in school for 12 to 16 years and then we’re done. We start a career, get married, start a family and the rest is history. But what about the other portion of the population that yearns for more? The other portion of the population has ABL.
ALWAYS. BE. LEARNING.
I’ve known I’ve had ABL for years but didn’t really what to call it. Like most of the people on this planet, I went to grade school and then college. However after I completed formal education, I found myself wanting more! I was never without a book. I was always looking for another class to take. And I didn’t care what the topic was. I wanted to devour it.
Recently, I started thinking a lot about ABL. I have been doing a lot of thinking about why I have this and other people may not. Why do I constantly crave education and expanding my mind? While someone else like my husband (sorry babe, but thanks for being my example) doesn’t? I can’t quite pin point a definite answer, but I’ve come up with a few theories:
Some people like to just shut their brain off. – Some individuals like to take a breath and just sit without having to think at the end of the day. They might zone out by watching TV or just play a game for bit. Or even better, take a nap.
Constant learning can be overwhelming. – When you constantly have a book or a homework assignment to turn in, the brain is working. And for some, if it works too much it’s on overdrive. Constant effort put out can be overwhelming because learning can be a challenge due to a variety of reasons.
Change is good. – A lot of people get excited about graduation day because they see it as a light at the end of the tunnel. Graduation is a time when school stops and there’s an opportunity to focus on something that doesn’t involve a classroom.
These are just a few ideas, but they came to me after looking at myself and how I felt. For starters, I like when my brain is working. When it is, I feel like I’m charging the battery and powering the flashlight. Although that flashlight is working most of the day, it doesn’t get tired until late at night. And thanks to a routine, that flashlight knows when it’s going to power on in the morning and power down at night.
If you’re like me, ABL can be a benefit. Think of the books you’ll read or the topics you’ll have a chance to study that you didn’t get to in school? Your friends and family will look to you because you’re so knowledgeable in so many areas. Networking events will become a breeze because you can chat about any subject. You’ll be an ideal candidate in a large variety of careers. And you’ll keep diseases like Alzheimers at bay because you’re using your brain!
If you have ABL, embrace it! If you have people in your life that have ABL, support them. If you don’t have ABL, it’s ok. We are individuals for a reason and it’s ok to be different…and you don’t always have to be learning.