One of the famous works of the Japanese poet and calligrapher, Mitsuo Aida, is “一生勉強 一生青春” (Issho Benkyo, Issho Seishun).

The first part, Issho Benkyo, means a a life of learning, which leads to the second part, Issho Seishun, which means a life of youth.

Youth is made up of two characters.

The first (青) is the character for blue and also carries the meaning for the state of being young inexperienced. The second (春) is the character for spring carrying the meaning of vitality and life. Put them together to from the Chinese and Japanese word for youth.

To me, this saying means this.

A lifetime of learning means being curious. Being willing to take new things in. A beginner mindset.

And the inverse is this. If we don’t adopt a posture of learning, we lose our youthfulness. We become stubborn and incapable of absorbing new ideas.