Whatever the reason, it’s great to continue learning and growing throughout our lives and beyond.
However, some of you may not be pursuing more learning due to how much it can cost to go to college or university.
Well if you have already gone for scholarships and grants and don’t need the actual degree, just the knowledge, then there are some low cost and free options for learning. (These do not award a college degree but many are the same education as getting a degree)

1. Free education sites – There are multiple sites where you can find the text books, lectures and more all online for free. Some of these come directly from the University departments that are teaching the courses.
Here are a few sites you can check out.

FreeEd.net – Has a lot of courses, but watch out for the large amount of advertisements on the page.

OpenCulture.com – Lists many courses from top universities as well as audios/podcasts.

Self Made Scholar – Has a wide selection of free online courses. (Some courses can also be taken for credit but do require tuition)

Guide to Online Schools – Good range of topics. Includes courses from universities like MIT. Make sure to browse around the individual school sites listed so you find all the information options available to you.

Technophilia: Get a free college education online – Article at LifeHacker.com which lists some various courses and tips for finding more using the search engines.

Also try your favorite search engine. ‘free classes’ ‘free courses’ ‘online courses’ etc. (Check out the LifeHacker article for searching tips.)

2. Local Library – Most libraries have a lot more than books. There are informational dvd’s, non-fiction audio books to listen while in the car or whever you are. Even mp3′s.
We enjoy going to our County Library’s website and requesting specific dvd’s or books on cd. We then get an email when it’s ready for us to check it out.

3. Lectures and Discussion groups
Check out the government sites, local community newspapers, websites, library, your neighbor etc. to find out about free presentations, lectures, and groups within your area.

You may also find websites or companies that offer a free course hoping you will purchase other courses in the future and there is no commitment to do so. A lot of them honestly want to give good information to you. A good general example is Simpleology. www.Simpleology.com

There is a wealth of free information and learning available if we are willing to spend some time doing it. Check out some of the resources above and find something that interests you today.

Those who keep learning stay at the head of the pack and find more ways to enjoy or simplify their lives.

Let me know of other great free learning resources you enjoy by leaving a comment.

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They wanted to provide you with an experience you can call upon whenever you need a spiritual boost; something that you can plug into to fuel and refuel your passion for life.

The result is this video, which they have named: ‘IGNITE YOUR SOUL’.
I have my own Motivational wall art at www.ImagesThatInspire.com but I love what they have done with these images.
Check it out for yourself!

“With masterpieces from some of the world’s greatest sculptors and painters, and prose from some of the world’s greatest prophets, poets and sages who have ever lived, combined with an epic soundtrack by Rob Dougan, we like to think that our aim has been achieved … but … we shall leave it up to you, the viewer, to be the judge.”

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That’s not why I’m offering this to you.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see anything wrong with the reasons listed above.  Most (or all) of us live in a way that the items we use require money to acquire.  We get to do something to get the things we need and desire.

But what got me thinking about doing this special actually happened a while ago.  My immediate and extended family and I were on a vacation in beautiful Lake Tahoe for a week.  Wonderful views and activities.  All ages having a good time.  (Thank you brother for organizing it!) We didn’t want to come home, but it was time.  On the way home we were driving through and stayed a night in a medium to smaller sized town in Nevada.

That evening I wandered around and checked out the casinos as they always seem interesting.  It didn’t take me long to lose the $15 dollars I had decided I was willing to take a chance on.  (Actually about 12 dollars and then I went across the street to get a treat at the local grocery store which I deemed a better return on my money.)  But I enjoy people watching so I wandered and watched some of the people in 3 different casinos and saw basically the same thing.

People weren’t winning money, but they so desperately wanted more money that they kept going and going.  I could see determination but no passion in their faces.

And it’s not just in casinos or Nevada.  There are people everywhere just going through the same motions day after day.  Usually in some job they just don’t want to be at because it’s not a good fit for them.  It may pay the bills but there is always more than one way to do that.  And some of those ways can fit in with your passions and interest.

Anyway,  to keep this from getting too long just let me tell you that I really do love making a difference in peoples lives.  I love assisting them in finding passion and purpose again.  It’s really a joyful experience moving past the obstacles in our lives and shift into enjoying what we are doing!

To see what you will get please go to the main page at my new website, IgniteMyPurpose.com .  (That link will open in a new window or tab.)  Then look over briefly what we do with the Ignite Your Purpose blueprinting.

Next come back here and send me a message (under ‘Contact Shane‘) on why you want to do the Purpose Blueprinting and what you desire to achieve from going through the sessions with me. Whether it’s getting clear direction, knowing what type of career to do, or moving past not doing the ‘right’ things… Whatever you feel. There’s no wrong answer.

Originally I was going to offer the discount for only 1 person but I feel I get to offer it to 3.  Sooo, the first 3 people to leave a comment on this article sharing why they want to do the Purpose Blueprinting will get it for only $275 !  That is more than half off what is normally charged for this great service!

This can make the difference in achieving your desires and having a wonderful 2011 and beyond.

If you have questions not answered at  IgniteMyPurpose.com then feel free to ask me!

P.S. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you follow your true and loving passions and desires!

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As some know, I really enjoy rock climbing.  I usually do it indoors at a great local climbing gym.  There are times where I’m almost to the top of a climbing route, after having done several other routes, and my arms and stamina just don’t feel like they can go on any longer.  I’m tempted to ask the belayer (person holding the other end of the rope to keep me safe) to let me down.  However, I’ve come to learn that if I pause for a moment, take a deep breath or two, shake out the tired arms, and then just really decide that I can do it, and immediately go for it…  That’s when I get to the top and seems so quick and short.

Now, I know that probably most of you reading this don’t go rock climbing, even indoors.  That’s o.k.  The principle can be applied to anything.  Anytime we are getting close to a ‘goal’ and feel that we can’t make it, is usually when we are so close to actually achieving that goal or getting over the ‘hump’ where it will start flowing easier and more enjoyably.

Remember to take a deep breath (relax and gather your focus as necessary) and then decide, or remember, that Yes,  you can do this thing!  Then take that inspired action and go for it!  Don’t think about it too much, just do it.

If you like,  print out the wise words below and tape them up where you can see them easily each day.

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it. I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

Mahatma Gandhi
1869-1948, Indian Nationalist Leader

Whether we’ve achieved something or not, we have believed in that part of us, good or not so good.  Believe the good and have a great week!

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