My sons and I are reading Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth and there is mention of the runic alphabet used to write various Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet. It’s the first alphabet the boys have seen other than English and they were thoroughly intrigued.
If you’ve ever learned another alphabet than that of your mother tongue, you know that alphabets open a new world to you. Each symbol provides a portal into which you can peer to discover different cultures, patterns of thought, modes of thinking, rhythms of being and so on. More importantly, each symbol becomes a gateway for the expression of your spirit through your mind and heart.
The whole point of education is to provide the starting points in consciousness through which inner inspiration can flow. Sure the facts and figures are important, but they really are just a starting point. If you learn what you learn with the goal of winning trivial pursuit, your life will become just that. If, however, you see everything you learn as an opportunity to serve others more effectively and to bring more life into the world, then anything you learn can add value.
You needn’t learn another alphabet to learn this lesson. You can begin wherever you are, no matter what you’re learning. You are not here to wallow in triviality!
Gregory Hake 
In all things, the rationale is much more important than the appearance. Much of the reason for learning new things is to open the mind to new ideas, to expand our worldview. Many of the world’s problems both end and begin in the tendency to embrace a myopic comfort.
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Thank you once again for your thought provoking comments Gregg. I could not help thinking how blessed your boy’s are, these days not too many Dad’s read to their kids, let alone invite them into the world of conscious creative thought. Today as I went about the trivial task of cleaning my home I was aware of a specific current of thankfulness, dusting picture frames and remembering fondly the people smiling back at me through them. The pleasure in seeing the luster of wood beautifully polished, and then enjoying the shift in atmosphere when everything is in order and one’s work is done. Sometimes it is easier, at times like this, to tap into those elements of inner inspiration. Increasing, thanks to you Gregg, I am more and more aware that I can let each moment be a portal for the expression of what truly counts.
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Good to consider how every opportunity we have is a cause for learning also.
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This is a vital point. Anything, in order to become comprehensible, must have starting points established in the conscious and subconscious mind. Words and language provide symbols that allow for connection and comprehension. Stories conveying patterns, experiments revealing principles – all of these allow for a person to venture from something known to something previously unknown. Providing these starting points of education and experience at the right times and in the right ways is so very central to the potential of a balanced and powerful life!
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Trying to learn for selfish reasons creates unnatural tension within yourself and those around you. When you learn, as you mentioned, to serve others, your understanding becomes multi-dimensional, fluid and its application is unlimited.
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I loved reading with my children. It does provide marvelous inspiration for further exploration. I find, even as adults, they still share with me the new ideas that result from their reading and education. It seems that many appreciate the process of learning more in the later years. I appreciate parents who inspire this love of learning for the sake of expressing more of themselves, early in their children ‘s lives. Lovely post, thank you.
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