Expanded perceptions of my thinking and being more able to understand the artistic , literary works and other's cultures .

I agree with Queenie Hong! It's letting go of your way of thinking and thinking in the other culture way. every expression needs to come from their way they thinking - you can't think in your way and translate it. you have to think like they do if you want to be fluent. opening your mind to other perspectives is key. 

There is great value in knowing that one CAN begin with zero knowledge of the language--not knowing any words and not understanding when someone speaks--to being able to read, understand, write, and speak.  If such a difficult thing is possible for me, anything is possible.

I think that is different thingking way. Learning a different language, not only learn language itself but need to know their culture, geography... Think as the natives think; behave as natives behave.