This I Believe
My Life through Learning: Diversity
My life through learning is summed up by two lessons: that learning is optimized by the knowledge one gains from his or her elders and by the experience gained by engaging in a diverse array of activities. I have attempted to follow both these lessons throughout my life, but each success only reveals all the things I still have to learn. However, each success also brings about a sense of immense satisfaction at the knowledge I have gained, and this feeling is worth all the effort.
Of all the influences I have had through the years, my parents have influenced me the most. From my mother, I learned music, and from my father, science. One might say these two areas of learning could not be farther apart, but to me, they are one and the same. Music is science. No sound would be heard if the anatomy of our ears was not developed to hear it. No violin would play, if the strings did not vibrate and the acoustics were not designed for maximum projection of sound. No voice would sing, if the vocal chords did not vibrate. The relationship between science and music is profound, but it takes two completely different mentalities to understand each at a basic level. Having worked on both the technical, logical thinking required for science and creative thinking required for music, I believe that I have developed a sense for how to combine the styles to work with both science and music in harmony. This, I believe, is diversity.
Diversity comes from experimenting with different areas and exploring ones interests. In higher education, I am pursuing a medical degree. I have shadowed physicians at the Cleveland Clinic specialized in otolaryngology, who study techniques people can use to gain better clarity from their voices. As a classical vocalist, I utilize these techniques to create volume in a safe, voice-healthy manner. The diversity that I have gained from studying both science and the musical arts has helped me to understand the true connection between these two, seemingly opposite forms of learning. It is easy to focus completely on one area of knowledge, narrowing ones focus to gain expertise in that area. However, while one may gain valuable knowledge in that area, the diverse connections between different types of learning will remain invisible. Thus, I believe it is important to engage in a diverse array of activities so that one may gain insight on the world as a whole and become more wise and knowledgeable.
By studying music and science, I believe that I have gained more insight into the world. I can understand the connection between the arts and the sciences, and have realized that the learning styles required to master advanced levels of both are not exclusive to the different areas; higher science requires both technical and creative thinking as does advanced music. I have explored both areas extensively, learning chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as classical vocal, musical theater, piano, and violin. I believe that studying all those different areas of learning has shaped my character and turned me into a bigger person. I also believe that by learning from both my parents, I have developed an interest in both the arts and the sciences, and have gained valuable knowledge in both areas. So far in life, I have learned that diversity is the key to a broad understanding of the world. I also believe that the more one learns, the more one realizes that there is so much more to learn. However, the feeling of achievement is one of the best feelings in the world, and I am satisfied that my study of the sciences and the musical arts has allowed me to experience success so many times. Diversity brings knowledge, and knowledge brings understanding, both of oneself and of the world as whole.
Of all the influences I have had through the years, my parents have influenced me the most. From my mother, I learned music, and from my father, science. One might say these two areas of learning could not be farther apart, but to me, they are one and the same. Music is science. No sound would be heard if the anatomy of our ears was not developed to hear it. No violin would play, if the strings did not vibrate and the acoustics were not designed for maximum projection of sound. No voice would sing, if the vocal chords did not vibrate. The relationship between science and music is profound, but it takes two completely different mentalities to understand each at a basic level. Having worked on both the technical, logical thinking required for science and creative thinking required for music, I believe that I have developed a sense for how to combine the styles to work with both science and music in harmony. This, I believe, is diversity.
Diversity comes from experimenting with different areas and exploring ones interests. In higher education, I am pursuing a medical degree. I have shadowed physicians at the Cleveland Clinic specialized in otolaryngology, who study techniques people can use to gain better clarity from their voices. As a classical vocalist, I utilize these techniques to create volume in a safe, voice-healthy manner. The diversity that I have gained from studying both science and the musical arts has helped me to understand the true connection between these two, seemingly opposite forms of learning. It is easy to focus completely on one area of knowledge, narrowing ones focus to gain expertise in that area. However, while one may gain valuable knowledge in that area, the diverse connections between different types of learning will remain invisible. Thus, I believe it is important to engage in a diverse array of activities so that one may gain insight on the world as a whole and become more wise and knowledgeable.
By studying music and science, I believe that I have gained more insight into the world. I can understand the connection between the arts and the sciences, and have realized that the learning styles required to master advanced levels of both are not exclusive to the different areas; higher science requires both technical and creative thinking as does advanced music. I have explored both areas extensively, learning chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as classical vocal, musical theater, piano, and violin. I believe that studying all those different areas of learning has shaped my character and turned me into a bigger person. I also believe that by learning from both my parents, I have developed an interest in both the arts and the sciences, and have gained valuable knowledge in both areas. So far in life, I have learned that diversity is the key to a broad understanding of the world. I also believe that the more one learns, the more one realizes that there is so much more to learn. However, the feeling of achievement is one of the best feelings in the world, and I am satisfied that my study of the sciences and the musical arts has allowed me to experience success so many times. Diversity brings knowledge, and knowledge brings understanding, both of oneself and of the world as whole.