How to Learn the Important Things
Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach

"How to Learn the Important Things,"
by Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach

Garrison Keillor wrote his usual wisdom at Thanksgiving, an
article entitled "American Gratitude." He pointed out that
we Americans aren't the best at gratitude, alluding to the
stark Puritan ethic in the heritage of most of us, where
rejoicing over good luck was considered to be tempting fate.

So our ancestors grumbled, said he, about the weather, the
kids, politicians, their health, and so forth. Until they
died and went to heaven, says Keillor, "where no doubt they
are a little edgy even now -- nice place, paradise -- a
little surprised at who else is here, harrumph, harrumph,
but never mind -- plenty of bliss, no tears and so forth --
not sure how long it can last, but we shall see."

Keillor then goes on to tell us what he's thankful for,
including his daughter's new swimming instructor. "Thanks
be to God," he ends his article, "for the teachers of the
world."

I second that motion!

My own Schwimmfuehrer ultimately threw me out of the row
boat into the lake to make it back to shore. Or not.
Yes, I cried. Yes, I was mad. Yes, I made it. Yes, I was
proud of myself.

In this way, he taught me something more vital than just how
to swim. He taught me how to know when I knew it well
enough ... when to quit hanging on and take off ... when to
quit asking head-questions and live the answers ... when to
quit pretending I don't know how, am too young, too old, too
dumb, too smart, too hurt, too confused, too Caucasian, too
Italian, too scared, and just do it. In other words, how to
remove myself from the horns of my own dilemma.

GO TEACHERS! Some of the greatest are ready to teach you at
the Replay Store, www.susandunn.cc/learn_EQ.htm , featuring
once-listened-to CDs and tapes taught by some of the best
teachers in the land. Go for the knowledge, I say, of good
and evil, or anything else that catches your fancy. These
fabulous teachers deliciously peel, core, seed, dice, slice
and serve up that apple to you in a way you may never have
tasted before. A truly great teacher is hard to find!

Now as to learning, there's a great anecdote in EQ-land
(emotional intelligence), about that bastion of brainiacs,
the University of Chicago. Not that there's anything wrong
with brainiacs. For some unknown (but lovely) reason, it
still remains a requirement for graduation from that
venerable institution (which has produced some of the best
economists we have) that one must pass a swimming test.
Sing ho! for the classic education.

The "final," of course, takes place in Lake Michigan.

Simon showed up one fine day last year to take the final,
jumped into the water on cue, and proceeded to flail,
flounder and sink. Fast forward to when the ambulance crew
had succeeded in resuscitating him, and the dean had put
forth the obvious question: "Young man, what made you think
you knew how to swim?"

Simon's reply: "I'd read all the books about it."

Emotional intelligence is about reality-testing, and
managing emotions. Emotional intelligence is also something
that can't be learned through books.

(c)Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc,
mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc . Individual coaching, Internet
courses, ebooks, EQ Alive! #1 rated EQ coach certification
program. Email for information on this simple, fast,
affordable, no-residency program, training worldwide. Email
for FR** EQ ezine. The arts are part of EQ. To join Club
Vivo Per Lei / I Live for Music, go to
www.susandunn.cc/vivoperlei.htm.