The other night, a friend reminded me of an old proverb.
“The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The next best time is now.”
My students often ask me, “How long did it take you to learn Latin, Mr. Thomas?”
I have been studying Latin for 20 years. I am still learning. There is more to learn. I am guessing that the journey will end when I end.
This discourages my students. But, it shouldn’t.
Here’s why.
I have one goal for my students. I want my students to be able to read the New Testament in Latin within two years. In other words, two years after you begin any Latin course with me, I want you to be able to read the New Testament in Latin.
Once you have reached that goal, you can go in any direction you like. You could go deeper into Classical Latin. You could go into any of the Romance languages. You could learn Greek. Or, you could just stop. You would still be able to read the New Testament in Latin. Do you know many people who can do that?
Last week, 52 students in one of my online classes crossed that line. A new herd of teenagers can now read the New Testament in Latin.
Let me break this down.
We set a goal. We started moving toward that goal. We stayed focused. We hit the goal.
It really is that simple.
I want to master the Greek language. Modern, Koine, and ancient. How long will it take? I am estimating ten years. At least.
My students flip when I tell them this.
Ten years?!?
Here’s the thing. Ten years is going to pass anyway. I can’t slow time down. Neither can you.
At the end of ten years, I would like to have something to show for the elapsed time.
The other day, I contacted an old friend. We hadn’t spoken in ten years. When I last spoke to him, he was obsessed with Alabama football. I am not using that term loosely. He was obsessed.
Ten years later, he is in the same place. He has not budged. He is still pre-occupied with Alabama football. Nothing has changed. He is just ten years older.
Understand, I am not condemning him. It’s his life.
I am simply saying this. Ten years is going to pass, whether you like it or not.
If you want to learn something, master something, improve at something, then choose your target. Focus. Hang on.
In two years, you will be miles ahead of most people. In ten years, you could be one of the world’s experts.
Should you have done this ten years ago? Sure. Is it too late? I doubt it.
“The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The next best time is now.”
