I have noticed that in interviews of celebrities or accomplished people, the interviewer will ask, "what are you reading?" Or, sometimes they will ask, "what are you planning on doing next?"

I think an important question is to wonder, "what are you learning?" Are you learning something, anything? It might be book knowledge or life knowledge. It might be something seemingly small but significant to you. Or, it might be a long-time-coming achievement. Whatever the learning process and goal is, it is important to reflect on what you may have learned because I think it speaks to wanting to be open, vulnerable and ready to receive information.

Sometimes we don't actively seek learning it just happens. It is only on stepping back can we see the journey and the strides we have or have not made.

These last two months have been such a blur to me. In some ways there hasn't been any time for reflection yet in other ways I feel that all I have been doing is spinning ideas, memories and thoughts in my head: I have had the once in a lifetime loss of a mother, the continuation of a creative venture, the yearly organization process of a volunteer endeavor and a new (to me) competitive tennis team.

Things I have learned or are learning thus far:

To speak with a lower pitch, slower speed and single thought regardless if the one listening is hard of hearing.
Concentrate fully at the task at hand, aka keep my eye on the ball, especially in a competitive tennis match.
Compartmentalize the things that need to be done. One thing at a time and fully engage in that one thing.
Decide on what is important and forget about the rest.
Sleep is overrated (too much time for memories) and under performed (back to the too much thinking).
Daily Bible reading is essential.
Continual prayer throughout the day is much needed.
Iced coffee is a great after lunch treat and pick me up.
Losing a mother is one way to lose weight but not recommended.
Even though one can be a ready-made crier with any emotional issue, through preparation and the power of prayer, one can get through a memorial service and reception.
Good friends are the ones who check in with you even after all the condolences have been said.

What about you? What has been going on in your life lately? What lessons have you been (or are) learning? Any of those lessons becoming long-term habits or values? What would you like to learn? How can your lesson be a help or encouragement to another?