Exposure to New Things

Educators always encourage students to be well-rounded and even study abroad and try new activities in order to help our brain grow and for us to develop our personality. I took the advise lightly back then but I see the benefits and usage of it today.  When we expose ourselves to new activities, we learn quicker because we connect ideas and what we are learning at a faster pace.  I had one of the "connection" experience yesterday at a Sri Lanka restaurant in LA and it was the least place I expected it.  As I sip on the spicy beef curry and eating the dry rice with a wrap called Thosa, I thought about the beef curry my mother used to make all the time growing up. I thought about the beef curry that the Indian restaurant I enjoy was like  and how the spicy level varies base on the cook and the preference of the person who eats.  The connection was there and I felt like I was understanding what I was eating for the first time; the best part was, I was able to hear my voice as I connect the ideas and the revelation was definitely a big stepping stone to help me be more aware of what is going on around me.  The key to being a good learner is to be able to connect separate ideas and combine them to know the learner see the whole picture and experiences can help that process at a quicker pace.