Planting Seeds
August has always been my favorite month. Not only is it the month of my birthday (August 2), it is the start of my favorite time of year: the school year.
On my first day of work at my new job as Director of Ag Literacy for the Cook County Farm Bureau, I had the same excited, nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach that I used to have on my first day of school. I wore a new outfit, I had all new supplies, and I was looking forward to meeting and making friends with my new coworkers. I was ready to learn.
As an adult, you don’t often get that feeling of excitement that you felt as a child on the first day of school. Adults don’t have many “firsts,” but I think that that’s a shame. Adults should seek out new experiences, new firsts. We should have that queasy, excited feeling in the pit of our stomachs, not only at the top of a roller coaster or before making a big speech on stage. We should be excited to learn and try new things. Learning isn’t just for kids. I learn something new every day, and I encourage everyone to continue learning, too.
This August, pick up a new book or re-read one of your favorites. Visit a museum. Watch a documentary, even if it’s only a 5-minute video on YouTube. The excitement that comes with learning doesn’t have to be age-specific. Gear up for a new school year, even if it’s been years – or decades – since your last first day of school. Every day can be a day for firsts.
I’d love to hear your stories of your firsts this month. Send me an email with your name, age, city, and first experience at [email protected]. I’ll include some of your firsts in my column next month.
Enjoy your first days!
Katrina J.E. Milton