Student Spirit: Never Stop Learning

My sister Csilla came to visit from Hungary. We had an incredible month together—surfing at sunrise, diving, skiing Big Bear, an impromptu Pacific Coast road trip through redwoods and dramatic cliffs. We were rediscovering that unbreakable bond of sisterhood.

Then, as our trip drew to a close, she said it casually: "You've become dumb in America."

I was proud of the life I'd built. But her words stung.

Csilla had earned multiple degrees and climbed the career ladder—even more impressive because she has dyslexia. For her, it must have been hard to understand why I chose such a different path. Worldwide wandering. Risk-taking. Self-discovery instead of traditional achievement.

I knew I'd created something extraordinary on my own terms. But her comment planted a seed of doubt. (You can read more about my relationship with my sister in my book—Diving into Dreams.)

So I did what sisters do—I set out to prove her wrong. Not with another diploma to collect dust. I already had a jewelry school diploma as well as a marketing manager degree from an engineering college. I wanted practical skills that would actually enrich my life and career.

First, I became a certified Travel Agent. Next, I enrolled in community college on my days off. Started with ESL to refine my language skills. Then kept going—basic coding, web design, creative writing, Photoshop. All skills I could use for my Miss-Scuba.com website and online shop.

B.B. King said, "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." He's right. What started as proving my sister wrong became something else entirely. I returned to jewelry-making, creating pieces that portrayed exploration and nature's beauty. I discovered a passion for storytelling through images. What began as photography classes became a photojournalism degree from Pasadena City College.

This path was no longer about proving Csilla wrong. I'd uncovered a newfound devotion and sense of fulfillment. I started submitting articles to travel and dive magazines. Then fused it all together—diving, photography, storytelling—into underwater photography.

Since I was a child, I've always loved learning things that interest me. Csilla's comment didn't create that in me. It just reminded me I'd gotten so busy living my life that I'd stopped being a student.

Meditation Focus for September:

Your Amethyst this month carries that student energy. That reminder that learning doesn't end. That you can go back to school at any point, for any reason, and discover things about yourself you didn't know were there.

Hold your Amethyst. Ask yourself: What would I learn right now just because it interests me? What's one class I could take just for the joy of it?

This month isn't about proving anyone wrong or collecting credentials. It's about asking: What interests me right now? What would I learn just for the joy of learning it?

Maybe someone thinks you're already educated enough. Maybe you think you're too old or too busy. Learn anyway.

What I learned became part of who I am. Changed my career. Opened doors I didn't know existed. And no one—not even my sister—can take that away.

Flow rather than force,
Szilvia