Today my son and I were discussing (debating is probably a better description) about whether we would play a certain CD as we were driving to the beach for an early morning surf. (Unfortunately no surf) He said he didn’t like the band and therefore didn’t want to listen to the CD.

We then proceeded to discuss the difference between liking something and appreciating what has gone in to the making of it. I told him that it was not important that he liked the band or the song but that if he listened and understood certain aspects of the song he would appreciate the skill and expertise that went in to it’s creation.

My point was that if all we do is base our opportunities to learn and understand on the things we like than we are going to miss out on so much.

Today has proved to be very interesting for a whole entirety of reasons.

It was not to far into the day when I was asked to do an interview in regard to Australian swimmmer Ian Thorpe who has recently set up home in the Holywood Hills and from the media perspective not doing to much (reportedly) in as far as the training side of things are concerned.

The next minute I was sitting with my son and watching the Pink Floyd DVD pulse.

Now both of these situations got me thinking about talent and the need to respect the talent we have and to make the most of it.

Yes Ian Thorpe is a talented athlete, Dave Gilmour and the boys from Pink Floyd are talented musicians. But we all have our own talents. Having it is one thing and respecting it is totally another.

Those that respect their talent make sure they do what they can to fully develop that talent and in the process stop it from being wasted.

Regardless of the area of your talent make sure you do what you can each and everyday to respect it and in the process gain the most from it.

“Bill I learn so I become more knowledgeable”.

So what’s the big deal? Everyone learns to get more knowledgeable.

Well yes, but this statement came from a 15 year old schoool girl, who was explaining to me that she doesnt just go to school to learn enough to pass an exam, she wanted to learn to become more knowledgeable.

So is this something we should consider: ‘Learning with a non specific curriculum’?

Watching National Geographic just to learn. Reading a book that you have no real need to read. Spend time interviewing someone about there past, their beliefs, their thoughts and their goals.

Learning for learning’s sake as opposed to learning with a specific outcome in mind?