Eternal Scholar

                                                                                               

By Robert W. Oakley

Available in ways seen and unseen, edification subconsciously yet consciously embraces the mind of the life-long student, the eternal scholar, who considers learning and discovering a constant venture for the vast amount of information is, quite tranquilly, endless with endless rewards given only to the willing and dedicated. The experience of learning novel things and their deeper meanings, their scores of emotions, and their intricate mysteries form the mind. The discovery of unfamiliar worlds and uncovering their complex culture, their diverse nature, and their unknown territory bring a better sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose. The experience of not just learning but also learning to do it well grants satisfaction and advancement. More imperatively, though, the eternal scholar recognizes the experience of learning and the experience of education does not have to favor a strict or difficult life but, rather, has the potential of glorifying and enjoying life for all eternity.

Although the veil of uncertainty often warrants difficulty in obtaining an education, hoping for the opportunity only encourages but seeking for opportunity, finding opportunity, and taking advantage of opportunity unveils a much clearer route to learning. In other words, sitting around waiting for the opportunity won’t do any good; therefore, research is required. Generally speaking, learning from mistakes gains the best experience and the best way to learn from mistakes is to observe the mistakes of others in a controlled environment.  Where is such a place? There are many opportunities that can come and go but only a few advantages to truly pick from particularly universities or even community colleges. Although the many roads of life confuses the thought of the highly acclaimed certificates or diplomas, considering college, in many cases, should not render as a choice but an honor, a not-to-miss opportunity of living a joyous, free, and educated life.

With the constant change of culture, with the constant demands of the world, and with the constant battle for survival within  upper and lower bureaucratic or even chaotic societies, The knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the complexities, inconsistencies, and anomalies of even the simplest ways of living must utterly equip themselves within the mind. As an explorer uses a compass to find a way through the crashing storm of a raging sea, so should these tools— knowledge, wisdom, and understanding—be used to channel a way around the uncertainties in life. Without these precision tools for seeking out truth, becoming lost, consumed, and even destroyed is of a much higher certainty than a safe passage towards a haven full of bounty.  Truth is imperative to obtain, to know, to understand and one way to achieve such truth, such powerful tools, is to attend a university.

The void of uncertainty produces fear and fear produces chaos. Ignorance terrorizes but understanding conquers.  There are institutions all over the world taking responsibility of providing tools students need to dilute the unknown and decimate apprehension—Institutions providing a knowledgeable and confident life in education or in a future career. On the one side, college can still seem notorious, unnecessary, or nauseating, but once an understanding is established that college intends to prepare a life full of potential, advantage, and prosperity, the opinions should change. The individual, however, must choose to learn. Without the drive, determination, and devotion of the student, a college cannot bear much help nor could any other form of education whether it is an internship or a practical job. In essence, dedication and hard work assures and preserves success. Colleges want to provide exactly that—a successful and joyful way of living. Not that only failure and despair would transcend for not going to college but the mere advantage shouldn’t go without consideration and the overall opportunity must be seized. College, although necessary, is not absolutely necessary. Much knowledge and wisdom can be obtained from experience and such experience can be obtained through peers, elders, and corporations that offer any experience needed to succeed in life. The best place to find these people, of course, is at a university where almost any thinkable profession and all the experience needed to prefect any given trade is available. 

There are many success stories of a life without a college education, there are many successful men and women who have made their way very well in the industry who felt that a form of higher education was not necessary for them to succeed; however, many of them would still encourage it for this reason: knowledge is the key to truth and, thus, success. Once opened, this door unlocks a whole other world of opportunity and is free to whoever enters within the gates, the gates of eternal wisdom. One major purpose of life is to obtain knowledge so that the development of the mind can continue. In essence, the meaning of life is to know truth.  Finding that truth is a matter of dedicated study, a devotion to learning, and the mindset of a life-long student—an eternal scholar. With these tools, with these incredible institutions, with this state of mind, anything is possible.