Discernment: A Lesson Learned from Learning a New Language

Dear friends, today I’d like to share a story from my past that taught me a valuable lesson about discernment. It’s a tale that takes us on a journey through the labyrinth of language learning, and the insights I gained along the way.

The Challenge of a New Language

Many moons ago, I decided to learn a new language. Not just any language, but one that was vastly different from my mother tongue – Japanese. The intricate characters, the unfamiliar sounds, and the unique sentence structures were all part of a world that was entirely alien to me.

The Struggle and the Breakthrough

As I delved deeper into this new world, I found myself struggling. The more I tried to memorize the characters and the grammar, the more confused I became. But then, one day, I had a breakthrough. I realized that I was trying to understand Japanese through the lens of my native language. I was attempting to fit the square peg of Japanese into the round hole of English. This, I understood, was where I was going wrong.

The Lesson of Discernment

It was at this point that I learned the importance of discernment. I needed to appreciate Japanese for what it was, rather than trying to make it something it wasn’t. I had to discern the unique aspects of the language and embrace them, rather than trying to force them into a framework they didn’t belong to.

Once I started doing this, I found that I was able to understand and learn the language much more effectively. I was no longer fighting against the current, but flowing with it.

Applying Discernment in Life

Just like with learning a new language, discernment is a crucial skill in life. It’s about understanding and appreciating things for what they are, rather than trying to force them into our preconceived notions or expectations. It’s about being open to new experiences and perspectives, and being willing to adapt our understanding based on them.

So, my dear friends, as you navigate the journey of life, remember the lesson of discernment. Embrace the world as it is, not as you think it should be. And remember, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Until next time,

Kev