What Does “Brilliance” Mean to You?
I think “brilliant” is one of the words that are loosely thrown around to describe certain people who have done something significant in the world. It’s one of those words that so many people use is so many different ways.
We hear it all the time: “That dude is brilliant!” “Wow, what a brilliant idea!”
It would be interesting to see what you Mindpetalers out there thought of the word brilliant and what does one have to do to be considered brilliant. Personally, I think that many people call other people brilliant for all the wrong reasons.
Sure, someone can have an amazing idea or an amazing theory or even an amazing thought, but I could never define someone as brilliant based upon his or her thinking. That just isn’t enough for me, sorry.
If you get straight A’s in school or ace an exam, you may be called brilliant. Or if you solve a puzzle, someone may think that you are brilliant. And I’m sure that this doesn’t hurt your ego when you are called brilliant — it gives you all the confidence in the world!
Indeed, brilliance is somewhat of a subjective term, but we’ve diluted this word by using it to describe everyone and their mothers. It’s almost become fun to use the word. Brilliant this and brilliant that!
Brilliance lies in taking a thought and growing that thought into something beautiful and something that has an impact on the world. So many people are stuck in the realm of ideas, but lack the confidence and commitment level to follow-through and take action.
When someone takes such an idea and manifests it into the material world, then that’s “brilliance” and the outcome/impact of that new reality is “brilliant.” We need to stop calling those people who got straight A’s or who have closed a few business deals brilliant. Brilliance is something so much greater.
Your “actions” in life and the response from the world is the only measurement of true brilliance. Your actions will be what defines you, not your thoughts. When you do something brilliant, you’ll know. The world will know.
What do you think brilliance is ?
3 Comments
lawrence
July 9th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
brilliance is innovation applied.
Jason D
July 9th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
I’m forwarding this to all of my English and Aussie friends… every other word out of their mouth is “brilliant” or “cheers.”
David Askaripour
July 10th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Nice definition, Lawrence.
Ha, nice Jason!!
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