#Ask Jaquie
discovers getting older doesn’t mean we stop learning.
Imust have been about nine. I remember asking my uncle, Malcolm, the most pressing question on my mind that day (apart from the one about which New Kids on the Block member I was going to marry).
‘‘Uncle Malcolm, when do we stop learning?’’
His answer has stuck with me to this day ‘‘Oh, we never stop learning, Jaquie.’’
Never? My young mind was blown. I’d always looked at adults like they held all the secrets and knew all the stuff. They were completed and fully grown. What more was there to learn when you were over 20 (ancient from my 9-year-old point of view) Your life was totally set, surely.
But he was right. I’m 40 now and I know nothing.
My 9-year-old self would be horrified to know that at this point in life I don’t have all the answers. I am not a millionaire, I don’t own a boat or a dalmatian. I am still working out what I want to do for a career. I have huge holes in my knowledge and I don’t understanding everything.
I’m still working out my personal style and, critically, whether or not I can wear scarfs as part of my day-today look.
Fashion confuses me. Life confuses me and I don’t have a signature dish. I wouldn’t want my nine-year-old self to be disappointed though because I like it like this. I am a work in progress.
Why is this on my mind this week? Well, Facebook is a great place to test your stupidity.
I’m not talking about those online tests you can do to see what colour your aura is or which Pokemon character you are, but just throwing out a thought in your stats update and watching the replies.
I drove past a homeless man who usually sits at the top of my road. He was on a cell phone. I took to FB saying how this confused me. How can he be homeless and afford a mobile phone? I know nothing, Jon Snow. My FB friends, more educated than me told me why. Cell phones are essential forms of communication when you don’t have an address.
Many homeless people are given phones to keep in touch and make sure they are OK. Often paid for by a charity.
Did I feel stupid? Oh, yes. But it’s like my uncle Malcolm said; we never stop learning.
And I learned something, which isn’t so stupid after all.
I have huge holes in my knowledge and I don't understanding everything. Jaquie Brown