Kids enjoy learning

What new things are you learning?

To keep your brain sharp, you need to constantly be learning things.

I used to enjoy learning new things, but not so much anymore. I remember when a new version of a computer program would come out; I wanted to get the beta version so I could learn to use it as soon as possible.

Today, computer programs have too many options, and I find it hard to even learn the basics. And I can forget about trying to master a program.

Learning things used to be easy and fun. Now, learning is hard, and it seems more like work than fun.

Back in my early days as an engineer, I used to design computers. Now, I constantly have to ask my son or get on YouTube and watch a video to learn how to do things on my computer. Sometimes I have to do that even when I've done the task before.

I've been living in Costa Rica for over a year, and I think I know less Spanish now than I did when I arrived. Probably not, but I often think so.

This year, I've buckled down, and I'm spending at least 30 minutes a day using a Spanish language learning program on my computer. I'm slowly making progress.

As Mark Twain said, the first time he went to France, "Even the little kids here speak French." Here in Costa Rica, even the little kids speak Spanish. If they can learn to speak Spanish, surely I can learn.

I sold my banjo before I moved here, but I kept my fiddle. I enjoy playing it, but I'm not spending a lot of time learning new songs. And, I haven't found anyone here who plays bluegrass or old-time music (there's a difference).

Back in the North Carolina mountains, it seemed like almost everybody played music. I used to joke that if you wanted to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, you could ask, "What kind of instrument do you play?"

I can't run on autopilot

Living in a foreign country requires me to be learning constantly. I can't do most things with my brain on autopilot like I did when I was back in the US.

Besides the language, I have to remember how to get to the grocery store, where things are in the store, and what the bus schedule is. And to make things even more complicated, the bus schedule is different on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (and there are a lot of holidays here). One good thing is that the buses run on a strict schedule.

The hardest thing now about learning is forgetting too soon

I've found that I can learn a Spanish phrase one day, and then, the next day, I don't remember it. That frustrates the heck out of me. Another problem is that I can't recall words or phrases fast enough.

When I want to say something in Spanish, many times I have to think for a moment before I say what I want to say. Then, when I say something, and they respond to me, I have to think for a moment before I can respond with the phrase I want to say.

The good news is that people here are very helpful and extremely patient when you're trying to speak Spanish. It seems like they enjoy helping you learn to speak Spanish.

Are you keeping your brain in the learning mode?

What are you trying to learn? It's good practice for your brain not to be in autopilot mode. Take a different route to the store, or meet and talk to different people. Learn a new hobby, or get better at your present hobby.

Experts say that your brain is like a muscle. Use it or lose it. I've found that to be so true.

In addition to learning Spanish, I'm spending a lot of time writing books.

Bottom line: As Kermit the frog said, "Life's difficult when you're green." It's not easy when you're in a foreign country, don't know the language, and don't like to learn things either. But I'm sure it's helping to keep my brain challenged and in working order.