I Am Still Learning

I Am Still Learning Graphic © motivationpowerboost.com

“I am still learning.”
– Michelangelo at age 87

The Eternal Student: Michelangelo’s Enduring Wisdom

Imagine being an 87-year-old Renaissance master, having created some of the world’s most iconic works of art, and still uttering the words, “I am still learning.” This profound statement by Michelangelo serves as a powerful reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth knows no age limit.

Michelangelo’s words encapsulate the very essence of what it means to lead a fulfilling life. By embracing the mindset of a perpetual student, we open ourselves up to a world of endless possibilities and discoveries. Learning is not confined to the classroom or the early years of our lives; it is a lifelong journey that enriches our experiences and broadens our perspectives.

In a society that often places a premium on youth and rapid achievement, Michelangelo’s quote stands as a beacon of wisdom. It reminds us that true mastery is not a destination but a continuous process of refinement and self-improvement. Even at the pinnacle of his career, the great artist recognized that there was always more to learn, more skills to acquire, and more depths to explore within his craft.

This humility and hunger for knowledge is a trait shared by many of history’s most remarkable individuals. From Leonardo da Vinci to Albert Einstein, those who have left an indelible mark on the world understood that learning is a lifelong endeavor. They embraced curiosity, challenged themselves to think differently, and never rested on their laurels.

Michelangelo (1475 – 1564) is one of the greatest artists of all time and one of the towering figures who helped shape Western art in the High Renaissance period.

Before he turned thirty, he had already accomplished some of his greatest works such as the sculptures “Pieta” and “David”. He finished his iconic paintings at the Sistine Chapel at the age of 37 and he worked as an architect of St. Peters Basilica at 74 until the time of his death at the age of 89.

The assumption that old people can’t learn new stuff has already been debunked by science. Although cognitive decline is real, the brain adapts to it by using its other parts to perform visual thinking tasks, according to a study by Dr. Randy McIntosh at the University of Toronto. Although the brain activity of the old people in their experiment (60 – 79) performed much weaker in the common regions for tasks, other regions in their brains were activated. In other words, the white matter serves as a backup when the gray matter no longer works as it used to because of age.

The viability of an 87-year-old Michelangelo saying “I am still learning” is therefore backed by the recent studies in neuroscience. The brain is resilient enough to cope from aging. The only hindrance could be the brain itself when it stops believing in learning. To quote American industrialist Henry Ford: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty of eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Michelangelo’s words also serve as a powerful antidote to the fear of failure and the pressure to be perfect. By acknowledging that we are all works in progress, we give ourselves permission to experiment, make mistakes, and grow from our experiences. We learn to embrace the journey, finding joy and meaning in the process of self-discovery and continuous improvement.

In our own lives, we can draw inspiration from Michelangelo’s example. Whether we are pursuing a new skill, navigating a career change, or simply striving to be a better version of ourselves, we must approach each day with a beginner’s mind. We must be willing to ask questions, seek out new perspectives, and challenge our assumptions.

By cultivating a love for learning and embracing the role of the eternal student, we unlock a world of endless growth and possibility. We become more adaptable, more resilient, and more equipped to navigate the complexities of life. And, like Michelangelo, we may find that our greatest masterpieces are not the works we create, but the individuals we become through the lifelong pursuit of knowledge and self-discovery.

So let us take Michelangelo’s words to heart and embark on our own journeys of continuous learning. Let us approach each day with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to grow. For in the end, it is not the accolades or accomplishments that define us, but the depth of our character and the wisdom we have gained along the way.

The Renaissance: A Catalyst for Intellectual Curiosity

Michelangelo’s era, the Renaissance, set the stage for a profound shift in human thought and exploration. This period, spanning the 14th to the 17th centuries, witnessed a remarkable revival of interest in the arts, literature, and sciences after centuries of stagnation. It was a time when the shackles of dogma were challenged, and intellectual curiosity flourished.

The Renaissance thinkers, artists, and scholars embodied the spirit of lifelong learning that Michelangelo exemplified. They dared to question conventional wisdom, seeking knowledge through observation, experimentation, and the study of classical texts. This insatiable thirst for understanding propelled advancements across various fields, laying the foundations for modern science, philosophy, and artistic expression.

One of the driving forces behind this intellectual awakening was the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman texts. Renaissance scholars avidly studied these works, translating and disseminating the knowledge they contained. This exposure to the intellectual achievements of antiquity ignited a newfound appreciation for reason, empiricism, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

Figures like Leonardo da Vinci, a contemporary of Michelangelo, epitomized the Renaissance ideal of the “Renaissance man” – a polymath versed in multiple disciplines. Da Vinci’s boundless curiosity led him to explore various fields, from art and anatomy to engineering and mathematics. His notebooks, filled with intricate drawings and observations, stand as a testament to his relentless quest for understanding the world around him.

The humanist movement, another hallmark of the Renaissance, further fueled the drive for learning and self-discovery. Humanists emphasized the dignity and worth of the individual, encouraging the study of classical texts and the development of human potential. This emphasis on personal growth and the cultivation of knowledge resonated with the ethos embodied by Michelangelo’s famous quote.

Moreover, the invention of the printing press during this period facilitated the dissemination of knowledge on an unprecedented scale. Books, once scarce and accessible only to the privileged few, became more widely available, democratizing access to information and fueling intellectual discourse across Europe.

In this vibrant atmosphere of intellectual ferment, artists like Michelangelo thrived. Their works were not mere aesthetic creations but rather manifestations of their profound understanding of anatomy, mathematics, and the natural world. The pursuit of knowledge and the mastery of their craft were inextricably intertwined, reflecting the Renaissance ideal of the learned artist.

Thus, Michelangelo’s words encapsulate the spirit of an era that ushered in a new era of human enlightenment. His enduring wisdom serves as a reminder that the thirst for knowledge is not a fleeting pursuit but a lifelong journey that enriches our lives and propels humanity forward.

Related Inspirational Quotes

“The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.” – Socrates

“My brain is my biggest nutrient.” – Anon.