Learning From Others
By STOUTjodee
@STOUTjodee (3572)
United States
January 31, 2013 1:07am CST
I remember when I use to work in nursing homes. The elderly would have so many stories that they could tell you. They always just wanted some one to listen to their stories, experiences and their lives. Of course working in a nursing home you don't have the time to really sit and listen to all of their stories, because you have a job to do. I remember when I worked at one nursing home I had a job as a Universal Worker. What that meant was that I was trained to do laundry,housekeeping,dietary aide,activity aide and some times was a sub van driver. I never got burnt out on doing one job, but I could really interact with these people on a one on one basis. Getting to know each one individually and learning from them. Of course since I was younger than them they also learned from me.
5 people like this
24 responses
@allknowing (130066)
• India
31 Jan 13
Learning is a continuous process and it matters little who teaches us. It could be even pets and kids. They have their faculties and it is amazing how they use them. We certainly could learn a thing or two from those we consider insignificant.
@allknowing (130066)
• India
1 Feb 13
Let me correct you. It is my hen that is laying eggs and not me!
As far as learning goes, I give credit to my abundant knowledge which I have garnered, to all who I come in contact with, including my pets!
As far as learning goes, I give credit to my abundant knowledge which I have garnered, to all who I come in contact with, including my pets!@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
2 Feb 13
@allknowing, that is why I titled this discussion "Learning From Others", is because you can definitely learn from children and animals! I was just sharing my experience when I worked at a nursing home. You are right about learning from children and animals, a life long lesson of unconditional love.
@intellinsideyou, we most definitely can learn from anyone. I also was a Residential Manager at a group home for the mentally challenged individuals and I also learned from them.
Thanks for responding!
@intelinsideyou (664)
• India
1 Feb 13
Yes learning is a continuous process just like your laying eggs 
But jokes apart definitely we can learn from anybody. So we can not ignore somebody by simply thinking that person is not smart enough to say something meaningful as this type of mindset will block out every useful thing the other person might pass along.
But jokes apart definitely we can learn from anybody. So we can not ignore somebody by simply thinking that person is not smart enough to say something meaningful as this type of mindset will block out every useful thing the other person might pass along.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
31 Jan 13
You sure did have a lot of fun with your work. I also wanted to be that close to people. I mean, I also want to learn from them as much as I want to impart whatever knowledge or stories that I know.
The job could be tiring, but if you enjoy doing your work, then it is no longer work. It is fun!
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
2 Feb 13
Oh, let me tell you, jenny1015, there were days that I worked!
But at the end of the day, I might have been tired but I felt as if just maybe for a second I was a part of some one else's life. I enjoyed going to work every day, because the individuals I would miss as them missing me as well,if I wasn't there.
But at the end of the day, I might have been tired but I felt as if just maybe for a second I was a part of some one else's life. I enjoyed going to work every day, because the individuals I would miss as them missing me as well,if I wasn't there.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
2 Feb 13
I wish I had learned that lesson many years ago. Since I was the only girl, Mother talked to me about her childhood a lot. I only half listened. Since I retired, I've been trying to put down some of her stories but have found that I can't remember the details. In fact, I don't remember much at all. Since I was the oldest grandchild on my mother's side, I could have learned a lot from her father before he got senile. It just never entered my mind. Guess I was bored listening to my mother's tales and was afraid that I'd just get more of the same from Grandpa.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
31 Jan 13
You are such a nice lady to spend time with the elderly.
I believe they totally enjoyed their time with you. Yes,
it is true we can learn so much from others' lives and
experiences. It is priceless. Learning from each other
is one way we widen our horizon and knowledge. I learned
a lot by listening to other people experiences in certain
relevant fields.
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
2 Feb 13
Thank-you Iriene88 for the compliment of being a nice lady! A lot of the people enjoyed the one on one interaction and telling their stories to. I just wished I would have had more time with each one of them. I hope when I get older, the younger generation will learn from me. Thanks for responding!
@pokumon (644)
• United States
1 Feb 13
Yes, I agree we have a lot to learn from our elders and other age groups. I learned however that sometimes I am rude when I say something like I love talking to older people because you have so much more experience than me! My sister says that that basically insults the person even if they are clearly 10 or 20 years older so be careful how you phrase your praise!
@samson1 (738)
• Jamaica
1 Feb 13
I think that this is fundamental to our own existence; learning from each other. Whether we are old or young, rich or poor, or of different ethinc and /or religious conviction, the enrichment of our human life is predicated on our ability to learn from others. The ability to learn from each other- even from birth- allows us (over time) to make the necesary adjustments that impact our behavours, the next time around. In addition, if the habits cultivated and the lessons learnt from 'the experiences' are wholesome, then the world often benefits.
@AnnieHouston (208)
• China
1 Feb 13
Learn from others is a good way to improve ourselves I admit. But I think we have to clearly differentiate the right from wrong. There should exist some good points from a bad person and vice versa. Now I changed a lot comparing to the young me when I graduated initially, modifying myself to be a good person, I really learned a lot and I hope I can be the person I want to be.
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
1 Feb 13
Many people have life lessons to share that if we listen can save us pain of the same situation. Of course not always is it possible to avoid them even though knowing it.
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
1 Feb 13
working in and with olds is the least job i can do. because i will surely get attachment to these people. i will cry losing them anyway it is great to know this and sharing. i learned from my students too and it's free lol.
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
1 Feb 13
working in and with olds is the least job i can do. because i will surely get attachment to these people. i will cry losing them anyway it is great to know this and sharing. i learned from my students too and it's free lol.
@Janebaby (47)
• China
1 Feb 13
We are the different individuals,who have different characters.Thus our world is so brilliant.There ia a word in china:The elderly likes a ancient book. Reading it you can acquire much knowledge,experence. I love to talking with elderly,too.
@adityajpr (14)
• Ukraine
1 Feb 13
wow...........now that's what called the reality of life
no one knows anything when is born......slowly gets to learn..than the process goes on n on ....n on
every night i sleep with thoughts of knowing a lot....
but every new day.....i wake up as a new born kid n start soaking in , the essence of the new mysterious world...!!!
@dandan07 (1906)
• China
1 Feb 13
If you can spend time and energy on people around you, you can learn something from them. From successful men, you can learn from their experience, their way to fight against hardness and their methods to deal with problems. From people in adverse situation, you can learn how to see the good side of life, how to lead their lives in a low level.
@obe212003 (2299)
• Philippines
1 Feb 13
Learning from others has adversely affect my perspective on what life is really all about. Lots of lesson learned from people than what i've learned in school, lol! As we hear from others about their lives, i think we could definitely get a better grip of our thinking process on what this our lives are all about, lol.
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
1 Feb 13
Most of the times, learning from others experiences would be better than undergoing the same process by ourselves. It might take most of our time.
At present I am assigned in a place where I have to deal with various kind of people and that of course include the elders. I agree that we can learn from them in one way or another.
Have a nice day!
@intelinsideyou (664)
• India
31 Jan 13
A person can learn from anybody but elder people are the great teachers.
A good thing is that they are always ready to share their experiences with you. The lessons which we learn from them are meaningful and priceless. They will teach you that things which you can't learn from any educational institute.
@MyLeeian (18)
• Saudi Arabia
31 Jan 13
In our life, we should give ourselves a time listening to old people's advice. The elders have words of wisdom that can change your life because they encounter may experiences when they are young. I am a nurse and in my experience of meeting and communicating people I usually admire these elders. Some of them are abandoned by their families, alone and abused but I learned a lot from them.
@Sarahliuliwen (300)
• China
1 Feb 13
It is indeed very hard for one to calm down, be patient and listen attentively to others, especially not familiar people. Only one that is really humble, modest, friendly can do things like you did. But others' experiences sometimes can really help one expand his horizon, and guide him in dealing with issues, especially similar situations. As for me, I'm not sure if I could be as patient and humble as you!
Have a nice day:)
