Excellent lessons on learning. This week's topic brings to mind a quote that is a favorite of mine. Mark Twain put it on Puddn'head Wilson's New Calendar (and it already appears in your quote dictionary under Experience):
"We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it -- and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again -- and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore."
Scary to hear about your heart. Best of luck with your surgery.
Mardy, I hope you realize you have an army of followers whose hearts are with your heart as you face your aortic valve replacement. We appreciate you sharing this latest “bump in the long road of life” because you are as close as any dear friend. Concerning learning from experience, as a lifelong teacher I’ve summarized it this way: “We learn what we do.” We can read a book about swimming or giving a speech, but we never master the skill until we “do” it.
I’ve used the quotation for decades - and I always add "And I am very experienced!"
I recently heard the quote attributed to Lee Iacocca as “Where do you get good judgement? From experience, of course. And where do you get experience? From bad judgement.”
When you understand your failures too late in life to get a do-over, then the only way to provide value from them is by mentoring others.
I have always liked that quote about good judgment coming from prior bad judgment. I had heard that it was first said by president John Kennedy, and took that as true. I have since learned from experience not to be so trusting about the origin of quotations. .
It is interesting that some quotes just seem to evolve naturally over time so that no one can be named as the author. "Anonymous" or "author unknown" doesn't seem to cut it.
.... And, Mardy, my thoughts and I'm sure those of your many fans, will be with you over the next few weeks. May everything go as planned, and may Murphy take a holiday!
Best of luck to you, Mardy. I endured the Ross Procedure back in February 2000. (Replaced aortic and pulmonic valves with human tisssue.) I think nowadays they won't have to crack your chest. If not, that's a Good thing. You'll be in my thoughts.
Yeah, it was... innteresting. Supposed to be a 4-hour procedure, but I had a leak so it took 7 hours. They had to cool me down, open me up again, tighten some stitches, etc. I didn't mind at all, but my staying too long at the party annoyed my wife. :-)
Mardy, dear dear Mardy...You're going to be fine...our positive energy is being directed in your direction anyway. Modern medicine is amazing at what it can do for the human body.
With regard to 'learning from experience' .. it's been my experience that I learn almost nothing from books. An easy example was what happened to me, as a returning student for my M.Ed., and as a single parent-2 kids... I was in the last semester of the program having attended full time, driving from the Jersey shore across the entire state to Princeton, NJ 3 days a week, working part-time on weekends, I had a full schedule! One day, I happened to see a craftsman in a farmer's market, making stained glass panels. I was mesmerized and the artist in me, that had been 'sleeping' for so many years, suddenly woke up. I asked him how long it would take me to learn this craft. He said either I could take his course at the local adult ed program or I could go to the library and take out a book and read up on it. Impossible to take his course, at least not until I finished my Masters so I went to the library and took out 5 books on 'how to' stained glass. Well, what do you know...each book had different information! So I decided to DIY and bought a few simple tools and just plain clear window glass and at night or early in the morning, I taught myself how to cut glass. Within 6 months, I was teaching at the Adult Ed course in my community and earning a few shekels on the side. I realized too that for me, the best way to learn was by doing. Even if I failed...I would be learning. So, I jump in with both feet and that's how I do it. I suggest that people try it before giving up. You never know! Good luck with your medical adventures in the coming days....so many of us here will be thinking of you, I'm sure. HUGS!!
Dear Mardy, I have benefited greatly and, I hope, grown through your work over many decades. I wish you all the best for a successful procedure and a swift and uneventful recovery. You are a remarkable human being. With kindest regards, John.
Thank you for sharing about upcoming procedure and couching it in such a positive manner.Quality of life is so important and anything to improve it is well worth doing.
Another post from you that allows me to reflect on my own thoughts about the topics you cover. I think you can learn more from bad experiences although it's painful . There really so much to 'unpick' from your quotes especially the way you display them together.I look forward to reading them every Sunday.
The line "Good Judgement comes from Experience; Experience comes from Bad Judgement" was a staple during my Orthopaedic residency, and I used it often raising my children. Is Rita Mae Brown really the author? In what context?
No, she was quoting an "old saying." I should have been more clear. The original author is unknown. According to Garson O’Toole, aka The Quote Investigator, this saying likely emerged in the early decades of the 20th century and first appeared in print form in a Feb. 17, 1932 issue of The Muncie Evening Press, when an Indiana Rotarian named Fred Rose offered a saying he had recently heard: “Good Judgment depends mostly on experience and experience usually comes from poor judgment.”
Definitely resonate with your past experiences…often when I see or hear about other’s horrible results, I think “but for the grace of God, there go I”.
Best of luck and with prayers for success and rapid recovery from your aortic valve replacement!
I enjoy your weekly observations. I am sorry to hear about your heart problem and wish you well. You will be getting a serious operation. It will probably go well. Medical science knows how to do these. We are lucky to be living in this century and this country. I am hopeful for you, but also for the other readers You have created something good. You are adding to the world's wisdom.
My very best hopes for the successful outcome of your upcoming heart procedure, Mardy. I also hope it'll be the catheter instead of opening up your chest, which sounds like a much longer time of healing.
As for experience being the best teacher, I not only willingly made the same mistake (in marriage) four times but came to understand why and accept my fate. I'm still "enjoying" my need to nurse, even more so now.
It is my experience and yours as well, that if you stay positive (I've been through necrotizing myositis and lately lymphoma) you will be fine. Sending you my best vibes.
Thanks, my friend, I was unaware of your medical issues. Glad to hear you make it through them, and not surprised to hear that a positive attitude helped!
Excellent lessons on learning. This week's topic brings to mind a quote that is a favorite of mine. Mark Twain put it on Puddn'head Wilson's New Calendar (and it already appears in your quote dictionary under Experience):
"We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it -- and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again -- and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore."
Scary to hear about your heart. Best of luck with your surgery.
Thanks, John. I've always loved that Twain quote. Thanks also for the warm wishes on my upcoming surgery.
Mardy, I hope you realize you have an army of followers whose hearts are with your heart as you face your aortic valve replacement. We appreciate you sharing this latest “bump in the long road of life” because you are as close as any dear friend. Concerning learning from experience, as a lifelong teacher I’ve summarized it this way: “We learn what we do.” We can read a book about swimming or giving a speech, but we never master the skill until we “do” it.
Thanks for for warm words of encouragement, Michael. I also loved your additional thought. So true.
Funny thought Michael...some of us experience the 'bump in the road' as the 'pot hole in the road'....the 'survivors' manage to climb out...!!
I’ve used the quotation for decades - and I always add "And I am very experienced!"
I recently heard the quote attributed to Lee Iacocca as “Where do you get good judgement? From experience, of course. And where do you get experience? From bad judgement.”
When you understand your failures too late in life to get a do-over, then the only way to provide value from them is by mentoring others.
Thanks, Nick, I especially enjoyed your final comment!
I have always liked that quote about good judgment coming from prior bad judgment. I had heard that it was first said by president John Kennedy, and took that as true. I have since learned from experience not to be so trusting about the origin of quotations. .
It is interesting that some quotes just seem to evolve naturally over time so that no one can be named as the author. "Anonymous" or "author unknown" doesn't seem to cut it.
Yes, I know, but when you don't know the original author, what other choice is there?
.... And, Mardy, my thoughts and I'm sure those of your many fans, will be with you over the next few weeks. May everything go as planned, and may Murphy take a holiday!
Thanks, Nick, your words of support mean a lot! Also loved your Murphy allusion!
Best of luck to you, Mardy. I endured the Ross Procedure back in February 2000. (Replaced aortic and pulmonic valves with human tisssue.) I think nowadays they won't have to crack your chest. If not, that's a Good thing. You'll be in my thoughts.
Wow! I didn't know about your medical history. I--and countless others--am delighted that you came through it okay! And 24 years ago??? Amazing!
Yeah, it was... innteresting. Supposed to be a 4-hour procedure, but I had a leak so it took 7 hours. They had to cool me down, open me up again, tighten some stitches, etc. I didn't mind at all, but my staying too long at the party annoyed my wife. :-)
What a story! I can only imagine how worried your bride was!
Yup. She was pretty much beside myself.
Clever!
PS: I hope you're only undergoing TAVR.
Yes, that's it.
Mardy, dear dear Mardy...You're going to be fine...our positive energy is being directed in your direction anyway. Modern medicine is amazing at what it can do for the human body.
With regard to 'learning from experience' .. it's been my experience that I learn almost nothing from books. An easy example was what happened to me, as a returning student for my M.Ed., and as a single parent-2 kids... I was in the last semester of the program having attended full time, driving from the Jersey shore across the entire state to Princeton, NJ 3 days a week, working part-time on weekends, I had a full schedule! One day, I happened to see a craftsman in a farmer's market, making stained glass panels. I was mesmerized and the artist in me, that had been 'sleeping' for so many years, suddenly woke up. I asked him how long it would take me to learn this craft. He said either I could take his course at the local adult ed program or I could go to the library and take out a book and read up on it. Impossible to take his course, at least not until I finished my Masters so I went to the library and took out 5 books on 'how to' stained glass. Well, what do you know...each book had different information! So I decided to DIY and bought a few simple tools and just plain clear window glass and at night or early in the morning, I taught myself how to cut glass. Within 6 months, I was teaching at the Adult Ed course in my community and earning a few shekels on the side. I realized too that for me, the best way to learn was by doing. Even if I failed...I would be learning. So, I jump in with both feet and that's how I do it. I suggest that people try it before giving up. You never know! Good luck with your medical adventures in the coming days....so many of us here will be thinking of you, I'm sure. HUGS!!
Thanks, Arlene, I feel your positive energy from half-way around the world! Thanks also for sharing your "learning-by-doing" story. Most interesting.
Dear Mardy, I have benefited greatly and, I hope, grown through your work over many decades. I wish you all the best for a successful procedure and a swift and uneventful recovery. You are a remarkable human being. With kindest regards, John.
Thanks for your heartwarming words, John. I feel bolstered by your note.
Thank you for sharing about upcoming procedure and couching it in such a positive manner.Quality of life is so important and anything to improve it is well worth doing.
Another post from you that allows me to reflect on my own thoughts about the topics you cover. I think you can learn more from bad experiences although it's painful . There really so much to 'unpick' from your quotes especially the way you display them together.I look forward to reading them every Sunday.
Thank you again
Thanks, Bob, I appreciate your supportive words. I also appreciate your weighing in on this week's topic. We are clearly on the same page.
The line "Good Judgement comes from Experience; Experience comes from Bad Judgement" was a staple during my Orthopaedic residency, and I used it often raising my children. Is Rita Mae Brown really the author? In what context?
Oh, and good luck with the surgery. They have developed amazing minimally invasive technics in recent years.
Thanks. My timing is perfect!
No, she was quoting an "old saying." I should have been more clear. The original author is unknown. According to Garson O’Toole, aka The Quote Investigator, this saying likely emerged in the early decades of the 20th century and first appeared in print form in a Feb. 17, 1932 issue of The Muncie Evening Press, when an Indiana Rotarian named Fred Rose offered a saying he had recently heard: “Good Judgment depends mostly on experience and experience usually comes from poor judgment.”
I love your attitude and best wishes to your new adventure my friend.
I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Thanks, my friend. I'm just approaching this new challenge in the way I approach everything. I appreciate your being with me in spirit.
Definitely resonate with your past experiences…often when I see or hear about other’s horrible results, I think “but for the grace of God, there go I”.
Best of luck and with prayers for success and rapid recovery from your aortic valve replacement!
Thanks, my friend, that saying has helped many people over the years. Thanks also for your words of encouragement; they mean a lot to me.
I enjoy your weekly observations. I am sorry to hear about your heart problem and wish you well. You will be getting a serious operation. It will probably go well. Medical science knows how to do these. We are lucky to be living in this century and this country. I am hopeful for you, but also for the other readers You have created something good. You are adding to the world's wisdom.
Thanks for your words of support and encouragement, Peter. You're right, this couldn't have happened as a better time!
My very best hopes for the successful outcome of your upcoming heart procedure, Mardy. I also hope it'll be the catheter instead of opening up your chest, which sounds like a much longer time of healing.
As for experience being the best teacher, I not only willingly made the same mistake (in marriage) four times but came to understand why and accept my fate. I'm still "enjoying" my need to nurse, even more so now.
btw, I laughed out loud at "The Oy of Aging."
Thanks for your words of encouragement and other thoughts, Pat. Glad you liked the "Oy" thought; I borrowed that from my friend Richard Lederer.
Best of luck to you with your surgery. Hope you have a speedy recovery, and thank you for your weekly postings!
Mike
Thanks, Mike, I appreciate your thoughtful words.
It is my experience and yours as well, that if you stay positive (I've been through necrotizing myositis and lately lymphoma) you will be fine. Sending you my best vibes.
Thanks, my friend, I was unaware of your medical issues. Glad to hear you make it through them, and not surprised to hear that a positive attitude helped!