“We Do Not Learn From Experience, We Learn From Reflecting on Experience”

By: Sem. Mark Theo P. Binghay

According to Julius Caesar “"Experience is the teacher of all things". I agree of what
Julius Caesar because for me, life is nothing but just a series of learning opportunities and
experience. It is not possible that a person knows all about life at a very young stage. That is why
over the time we all learn of thing that we need and it is known as experience. Now, it is
important to remember that experience can be good or bad. However, both kinds of experiences
are required in life to make sure that you succeed in life and do well and it is up to you to make
the decision to make the best of the lessons.
Last year, after we were having plant a corn we do harvesting. For me I nervous because
this is my first time to experience. During that time I think to myself that, “Oh my God it is so
big and plenty things to harvest it. But when I say my brother seminarians that they happy and
very joyful in their face I am very motivated to continue. I know it is not easy because I
experienced a lot of challenges like I face the “bolunsari” very painful but I realize this painful
makes me to realize that through painful things we learn it through reflecting and realize to our
life that we need to experience of pain so that we can grow and become a resilient person.
Furthermore, we did again a second wave of harvest and I am not nervous anymore I am
eager to harvest and I am very happy that we finish it and I cannot believe that we finish it in a
right time, I thought that we cannot finish it because it so very wide area to harvest it. For me,
sometimes the results of the harvest are out of our control. In any year the weather might not
cooperate giving too much or not enough rain. Also, I learn to be patient because I realize also
here in the seminary I need to be patient to my brother seminarians, myself and to each my
surroundings. Because sometimes it's important for us to be patient and wait for the right time for
things to happen. That’s why being patient is a challenge, but like slow growing fruit and
vegetables, growing in patience helps us grow in wisdom and maturity and helps make us fit for
heaven.
Indeed, “We Do Not Learn From Experience, We Learn From Reflecting on Experience”
because based on my experience harvesting a corn is just like when you preach the gospel to the
people you need to be patient, perseverance, know that many people will reject you and you will
experience pain but this pain will help you to grow and become a better person. Also, just as the
farmers here have taught me, my responsibility is to work diligently on the things I can control,
but remember to surrender the things I cannot. And the most important thou I experience a lot of
challenges I must choose joy. A wise farmer chooses joy knowing that each year is unlike any
other, therefore, if this year is difficult, a better one is sure to come. I know God’s heart is to
redeem and reconcile the world to Himself. May my default be joy, my work be diligent, and my
mind be set on the bountiful harvest that will come in due time.