So Much To Learn

This last week I have had two significant moments of remembering how much I don't know.

The most recent one came yesterday, when I was having a delightful conversation about American history, the south and the Civil War, followed by a trip to Powell's Bookstore. The conversation alone made me realize how little I know of American history; I learned it all at some point in life but definitely do not remember it anymore. And then the trip to Powell's...well, let's just say that a trip to a giant bookstore will always leave me feeling like there is not enough time in the world to read all that I'd like to and understand things as well as I'd like. My time there included visits in just 4 sections, cooking, travel, history and gender studies and I think I could spend a lifetime reading about each of those subjects individually. But, alas, I cannot do that. Luckily, I have a pretty decent backup plan: I will settle for fascinating conversations with the intelligent people I am so fortunate to have in my life and reading just a few books at a time (currently I'm attempting a sociological study of the history of marriage, a memoir by a prominent gender and race expert and a novel by Michael Chabon).

The other moment came last week when I attended a discussion on transgender rights at the Q Center here in Portland. It started with two professionals who advocate for transgender rights in Washington DC, then had a question and answer session, and finished with time for people who are actively working for transgender equality in the local community to share their experiences. I loved it! A few people who I have mentioned it to since then have kind of looked at me like, why would you go to that? For what purpose? And I guess there wasn't a purpose. Except to tangibly see that there is so much to be a part of. Did you know that just recently regulations were passed allowing a person to put the gender he or she identifies with on his or her passport, as opposed to the one they were born with? It seems like such a little thing; when I fill out paperwork I do not think twice about checking the "female" box. But many people do. Or did you know that it was just 9 years ago that the first lawyer focused specifically on transgender rights on a national level? These things are so recent! There are so many things to be done--things to be fought for.

So in this week following thanksgiving, I am reminded to be thankful for every opportunity to learn. In my unemployed state, I often feel unproductive and listless. But moments such as these help me to see the bigger picture. That I will survive this time of unemployment if I keep learning.