Smells of the Old Library Surrounded Me

¶ … smells of the old library surrounded me when I entered. I could smell the passage of time in there, where dusty wooden shelves housed thousands of books. A hundred-year old door creaked behind me and shut with nary a sound. The silence that greeted me inside the musty room reminded me that this was my sanctuary, the place where I felt most alive and at home. Sure, I loved playing sports and watching movies and television and playing games.

But at age ten, the thing I loved to do most was read. I headed straight for my favorite section: the young adult mystery novels. I perused the book jackets one at a time to find one that I had yet to read. My heart raced when I read the description of a story that sounded titillating, and I raced to the check out counter. It was by the time I turned nine or ten that I became conscious of the effect books had on my mind, heart, and soul.

When I lost myself in a novel, I felt free, joyous, and creative. The stories I read fed my mind with ideas and images. The trials and adventures of characters I read about invoked in me mature emotions like compassion. Identifying with the protagonist in stories helped me shape aspects of my personality and become more self-aware. Although I preferred fiction to nonfiction, I had also begun reading some interesting philosophy books when I was in my teen years.

Aware of the importance of consciously pursuing personal growth, I devoured books on spiritual traditions and self-help methods. All of these things fascinated me, in the same way my favorite detective novel would. This was my early holistic education, the self-discovery that would guide my future. I seem to have always been interested in approaching education from a holistic standpoint, because I am not satisfied with rote learning. While facts and figures can be interesting and helpful, I also believe in the importance of seeing the bigger picture.

Knowledge should mature into wisdom, and I want to apply what I learn to my daily life. Even trivial matters can spark my interest, because I relish the act of learning itself. When I learn something interesting, I become emotionally involved and I try to share that knowledge with other people. Often my friends and family do not share my enthusiasm for things like the structure of the human eye-but to me, facts are the foundation of the imagination. Art inspires the mind, heart, and soul.

Learning about famous artists and their works is valuable, but so is a philosophical contemplation of the nature of beauty. Art and art history are perfect examples of holistic learning because of the mingling of mind, heart, and soul in the creative process. I look forward to studying more about art, poetry, literature, and music. I know that exposure to great works of art will inspire me to reach greater heights of personal accomplishment no matter what I choose to study.

Art, music, poetry, and literature will affect me on an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual level, the epitome of holistic learning. Beyond being able to name the painter of the "Mona Lisa," I want to be able to comprehend why such works of art endure over time and touch millions of souls. Studying about art could alter my perception of life, as I become more able to perceive reality through the eyes and minds of others.

Traveling is also a perfect example of an education for the mind, the heart, and the soul. Learning about other cultures is a rewarding experience, whether that culture is European, Asian, or African. The mind is stimulated by traveling because of the historical significance of places and because of foreign languages learned. Bits of information about the places I visit will be forever etched in my mind, contributing to my intellectual development.

However, traveling is also healthy for the heart, as it can open people's minds to different lifestyles, customs, and religions. By observing daily life in foreign countries, I could have more compassion on people different from me. Even eating exotic foods can be an enlightening experience that leaves an indelible mark on the psyche. Traveling can also nurture the soul, as gazing on a scenic vista or listening to Latin chants in a Roman cathedral are lofty experiences.

Travel provides an education that cannot be taught in the classroom, one far more holistic and life-altering. As I contemplate my future, I am becoming more aware of what I want from life. I know.