What have I learned, asked Mr. Johnson.

Arrogantly, my response was “Nothing” but, in a split second, I quickly realized I had gained so much, learned a great deal and, my experience has allowed me the opportunity to look forward with a renewed excitement of anticipation.

Allow me to explain.

When one has an idea, one embarks on a platform to educate others of a newly found security. In the environment in which I found myself, totally removed from the core of the class, I wondered aloud to Mr. Johnson if my ideas would be accepted by the group.

Why, I thought?

Because I, a semi-retired person with an accumulation of experiences, ideas and thoughts preceding these students’ lives, the lives of their parents and in some cases, grandparents, wondering how my thoughts would fit within the minds of a group so young. I have lived through some of the history these students are studying with a vast knowledge they have yet to uncover and surpass.

With the assurance from our Professor, Mr. Johnson, I hesitantly offered my ideas of preservation to the class. To my surprise, not only did the class accept my ideas, they in fact commented positively on my ideas with appreciation and support. I was startled by their response.

I’ve learned a bit.

Furthermore, I discovered my ideas of life and freeing one’s self from the transgressions of the past and, self-imposed restrictions, to be on-point with a younger generation. Furthermore, I have retooled my thinking to focus my attention on the Millennial population of the world-a global opportunity I would not have discovered had I not used my courage to take a chance on rejection.

Discovering Millennials to be more open to self-help ideas than say, their parents or grandparents, I have a renewed purpose in my quest.

I’ve learned a bit more.

I further discovered the courage to reach out to a much different audience than previous, only to discover an acceptance of my writing there, as well.

I’ve learned a bit more.

Collectively, I would say I have learned a great deal by attending this Creative Writing Class, learning more about myself than I expected to learn and, from strangers, very young strangers at that. Never did I expect to receive such an education by sharing my ideas with a group that I thought to be so far removed from my world and, me from theirs.

In my mind, I was demonstrating a perfect example of how negative ideas, trapped in one’s mind, will further trigger a response that perpetuates the same-negative rendition, unless challenged.

Taking a chance on rejection, I offered my ideas to an accepting audience. Had I not summoned the courage from within, I would not have known of the responses of my ideas from the class.

I’ve learned a bit more.

I am very thankful to professor, Mr. Ned Johnson and, all the students of the Creative Writing Class at Saint Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs Campus, Fall Term 2016, for accepting me into their midst and offering me an opportunity of a learning experience of a life time!

I am rethinking my experience.

What have I learned?