Ever since I can remember I have been a curious overachiever. Whether it is to learn new languages, finish lists of recommended places to visit or books to read, or start new studies, I'm always interested and ready to get into it, regardless of time, money or effort it will require.
Although curiosity has been one of the driving forces to get me into new stuff, I must recognize that not only curiosity has led me to start learning new things, and that the second driving force is caring for friends, who have interests different than mine, or liking someone and wanting to have something we can share.
Among the topics I have gone into learning out of pure curiosity are languages and alphabets, how to drive a motorcycle, and now- hopefully- psychology as a major. All of this requires motivation so that the required investments in time and money feel like they are worth it, and for most of the time I find the motivation: I got my motorcycle license last year, and know some basic-defense- words in probably ten languages. Psychology I haven't started yet, and I hope to keep my motivation for it.
Among those I have learnt to have common interests or hobbies with others are Portuguese, golf, and to some extent, partying and drinking. My first "crush" was a guy who came from Brazil, and I took Portuguese lessons to learn the language. I never fully learnt it, however, I got to a level where I could understand and answer. Later, when I was 17, I was dating a guy whose biggest hobby was to play golf. In order to spend more time together I often joined him to the golf course, and finally I learnt to play golf. Partying and drinking was a requirement at BU to fit into the Shelton 5 group, and it was then when I started it, and actually enjoyed all parties I went to.
All this learning has required effort, and, by looking back at the last 14 years of my life, I must recognize that those topics I have gone into in order to better fit in a group of people- or in order to get closer to one person in specific- have helped me not only increase my knowledge, but also grow as a person: We live in a society, surrounded by people, and there is no greater recognintion ofthen than social recognition. Social recognition can come from a group, but can also come from one single person. the possibility of getting some sort of social recognition my levels of motivation and helps m,oving on, even when things get difficult.
For those topics I've gone into out of curiosity the recognition can only come from myself. Depending on the time of the year, and on an undefined number of external factorstaht have an effect on my behaviour and life, giving up and not achieveng the goal is an easy way to go. These topics increase my knowledge, but are also contributors to my hermite behaviour, which is not a sign for growing as a person.
Curiosity and caring for people have been the drivers that have kept me a permanent learner. With some luck this desire to learn and grow will not go away, and my motivation in the future will not depend on who recognizes my achievements, but on what I've achieved.
Mayrhofen, March 27th, 2011
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