You can't learn what you think you already know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jim Schlossnagle, at his inaugural press conf as the new HC of Texas Baseball
Schloss may or may not have known, but he was actually paraphrasing the stoic wisdom of the Greek philosopher, Epictetus. He admonished those who studied philosophy "...to get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows." Our new coach was speaking, of course, about the need to have young men in our baseball program, who are willing to continue learning. They have been the best of the best in high school or JUCO, but big-time D-1 baseball is at a whole 'nother level. To succeed up here, those same players must be willing to continue learning, to adapt, to climb another mountain.
It's that way for all of us. Whether it's our job skills, a craft or hobby, or life in general, to improve ourselves is to learn, but we cannot learn if we think there is nothing we don't already know. What if our current way of doing something is only one method out of many, and what if some of the other ways are better choices in different circumstances? If we do not show humility, and approach things as an open and willing vessel, then we have slammed the door shut on any possibility of growth. That doesn't seem like a very good approach.
Let's keep ourselves hungry to learn, empty vessels ready to be filled with the good things our Maker has in mind.
This Schloss guy may work out pretty well.
Blessings,
NT
John 7: 37-38
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jim Schlossnagle, at his inaugural press conf as the new HC of Texas Baseball
Schloss may or may not have known, but he was actually paraphrasing the stoic wisdom of the Greek philosopher, Epictetus. He admonished those who studied philosophy "...to get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows." Our new coach was speaking, of course, about the need to have young men in our baseball program, who are willing to continue learning. They have been the best of the best in high school or JUCO, but big-time D-1 baseball is at a whole 'nother level. To succeed up here, those same players must be willing to continue learning, to adapt, to climb another mountain.
It's that way for all of us. Whether it's our job skills, a craft or hobby, or life in general, to improve ourselves is to learn, but we cannot learn if we think there is nothing we don't already know. What if our current way of doing something is only one method out of many, and what if some of the other ways are better choices in different circumstances? If we do not show humility, and approach things as an open and willing vessel, then we have slammed the door shut on any possibility of growth. That doesn't seem like a very good approach.
Let's keep ourselves hungry to learn, empty vessels ready to be filled with the good things our Maker has in mind.
This Schloss guy may work out pretty well.
Blessings,
NT
John 7: 37-38
