easy come, easy go is the rule when it comes to language

I have taught children for over 10 years now and what amazes me is just how fast they grow – both physically and mentally.

Just a little over a year ago my son was half his height and just learning to walk. Today he’s running, jumping and causing havoc whenever possible.

Now he’s really trying to communicate with my wife and I. I can’t begin to imagine how frustrated he must feel when he can’t make himself understood.

I suppose it must be like living in a foreign country where no one speaks your language.

His ability to pick up new words is picking up steam as well. He’s inquisitive about everything and wants to learn as everything he can about the world around him.

In other words he’s a learning monster. And I mean that in a good way.

The speed at which we learn most likely never exceeds the speed we learn as a child. But unfortunately the opposite is true as well; the speed at which we forget is also never faster.

My best friend was born in Holland and as a child he spoke Dutch. Then he moved to Egypt where he spoke fluent French. After that he moved to Australia where he mastered English.

Talking to him you wouldn’t know he’s Dutch as English is his main language with Dutch a close second.

But what about French? He can’t speak a word of it. At the age of 5 he was fluent, but today there’s not a trace left.

I have met many children who lived in America as a child only to lose everything when they returned to their own country.

Learning isn’t something we get to keep. It’s something we must continually work at otherwise we will lose it.

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about learning a language, magic, business, photography or whatever.

“Easy come, easy go” and when we’re talking about learning I think is should end with, “easier go” as it takes time and energy to learn something but to lose it, all you have to do is stop.

Learning is like typing a 40 page paper – it takes time and energy. But to lose it – all we have to do is hit the delete key.

If you’re serious about making a change with your health, your finances, or your relationships remember to keep at it. You might not see results overnight, but give it time and you might surprise yourself just how far you’ll get.

Adrian Shepherd