A special post on lifelong learning by Ava Louise

Fiction writer Ava Louise is here today to share her thoughts on "Lifelong Learning and Happiness" and talk about her Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series.

Livelong Learning and Happiness

According to Wikipedia, Lifelong Learning is defined as: the “ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated” pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. That sounds about right; if a bit dry.

For me, Lifelong Learning means doing my utmost to learn at least one new thing each day. That One New Thing doesn’t have to be something as major as how to change the oil in my car. And sure, there’s always a new gizmo waiting to be learned by the masses. Figuring out how to program my smart phone may fill me with momentary satisfaction, but that wears off fairly quickly.

I prefer to learn something that is felt inside of me. It could be about a world situation or something about another person that offers insight into them. It doesn’t have to be something monumental, just something that makes me think. Keeping the dust blown off the old grey-matter is the goal.

The One New Thing can be something as simple as learning a new (to me) inspirational saying: Walk in Your Truth; Be a Voice, Not an Echo; To Thine Own Self Be True. Absorbing a bit of inspirational/motivational text can fill me with satisfaction for a longer period.

Admittedly, some days there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to fit in one more goal; the goal of learning One New Thing. Learning the new, glitch-y software at work can make us feel we’ve stuffed enough “newness” into our day, let alone our brains.

That in-the-soul satisfaction, though; now that is something that last a long time. It can be pulled forth and examined as often as you like, as often as you need.

Happiness is learned and learning brings happiness. For me, this a circle with no end, no beginning. Instead of waiting for something to make me happy, I go in search of something to learn. That search is me being active in this huge world, searching for a way to grow as a person, searching for a way to give back to this world in which I exist.

I spent decades waiting for that elusive something to come along so I could finally be happy. In that, I guess you could say I was a slow learner! I now realize that true happiness for me comes from learning…anything!

How about you? Do you seek new knowledge on a regular basis? Or do you consider it a more passive endeavor?

About Ava’s books:

The Intergalactic Matchmaking Services series begins with Maggie’s Story, Ava Louise’s debut novel. In the series, you’ll meet characters that play a role in all of the books of the series, but this cozy Sci-Fi with romance is easily read as a series, or each book as a standalone. The characters are full-fledged and lovable!

“Maggie’s Story” -- Women Wanted: Must have a sense of adventure and be open to new experiences. Must also be willing to relocate. Please contact...Intergalactic Matchmaking Services.

Maggie Cline decides to investigate her romantic possibilities after she becomes a target when she identifies the shooter in a local murder.

Can she find a soul mate away from everything she knows and has worked hard for here on Earth? What about her loyal companion? Will she have to give up her cat, Mamzell, for a chance at love?

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (January 27, 2014)
ASIN: B00I44AGA8

“Shirley’s Story” -- Just as Shirley decides to try opening herself up to a chance at love, a stalker from her past returns. How does she move forward when her past comes knocking? What's going on with her young student, Hannah? Will her dog, Oreo, be okay with Shirley looking for love?

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (March 4, 2014)
ASIN: B00ISU9RE4

“Penny’s Story” -- Penny was supposed to be dead. At least that is what Claire has believed for ten years. Find out what happens when Claire's sister comes out of the Witness Protection Program. Penny is fighting a losing battle with cancer and needs Claire to raise Sunny, Penny's newborn daughter, once the cancer takes its final toll. Why is Penny's ex-boyfriend, Jason, telling his cronies that Penny has money and information about their illegal dealings? How does the cartel find out she has even left the Witness Protection Program? 

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services (November 30, 2014)
ASIN: B00OV8QBXC

All of the Intergalactic Matchmaking Services books are available as e-books on Amazon.

About the author:

Ava Louise was born a U.S. Army brat overseas, in France. She is the proud mom of two wonderful young men. It's taken her a while to figure out what she wanted to be "when she grows up," but Ava has finally found her niche in the writing world. Since writing came to her later in life, she likes to think she is living proof that it's never too late to reach for a dream or to achieve it. Before writing her own stories, she usually reads from a wide array of genres. She loves Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Mysteries, Thrillers, and Young Adult. 

Ava Louise can be found online at:

Email: AvaLouiseAuthor@yahoo.com
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