You Have it ALL. No, Really, You Do.
“He’s so smart.” “She’s a genius.” “That was the most intelligent thing I have ever heard!” “You’re brilliant!”
Those are some terms used to describe certain people who are able to figure certain things out in life. We call them “smart” and “intellectuals.” We compare them to ourselves and think about how much we simply don’t know and how much they know.
But we have it all wrong. We are wrong to think in this comparative manner — separating “you” from “them.” This sort of illusory way of thinking has led to the immensely sharp feelings of inadequacy and “I’m less than you” sentiment.
Let me first say that being “smart” is not a gift nor is it a special talent that certain people are given at birth. It’s an actualization of the mind that one has attained through self-inquiry and the unlocking of the door to infinite potential and creativity.
We ALL have this ability to think on a “genius” level. “Genius.” Such a nice buzzword, isn’t it? This word utterly underscores the entire process of “comparative thinking” in an intellectual respect. The word has been used as a fence to separate what you are capable of from what some have already realized. That’s all.
There is no secret to genius. There is no magic. There just is. You already have all the ability in the world. All the ability to think on any level that your mind can possibly imagine. You do. You just have to realize that. Be that, by letting that be.
Stop comparing. Stop selling yourself short. Stop belittling your abilities. You’re only fighting yourself when you do that. You are going to war with yourself. General “Self” against General “Self.” And you reach a point of stagnation. Your mind no longer evolves at that juncture.
All those sparkly adjectives that you’re using to describe those people who you deem as smarter than you — redirect them to yourself, because you are no different than them. When you see genius, you are also seeing yourself, what you can also unlock.
Don’t try. Don’t fight for it. Don’t spend your life attempting to be smart and a genius. Because what you seek already is. Just look in the mirror and smile and accept who you are… and know that everything that you desire is right there in front of you, staring right back at you.
You’re great! You’re a genius! You have it all. Just realize it.
5 Comments
Jon
December 1st, 2007 at 3:25 pm
When I think of someone being a genius I think they have an abnormal ability to remember things, or maybe even a photographic memory. I don’t look at being extremely book-smart as being a genius (even though by definition it is.)
I could be a “genius” but I don’t ever think I could have a photography memory.
Nice post.
anatinus
December 1st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Everyone’s a genius? No. No, they’re not. Genius, like any other superlative word, denotes a discrete, separate (vague or specific, miority or majority, doesn’t matter) group. This by definition implies that not everyone can belong to this group.
So, no. You don’t have it all. Most of you will not cure cancer, solve diplomatic issues, write theses on quantum gravity, nor even a simple Dan Brown-level book. And no, blowing sunshine up people’s asses falsely isn’t “emotional genius” either; it’s a lie.
If you really want to be helpful, tell people the truth right away. ‘Cause if there’s one thing REALLY wrong with this country, it’s how we never tell the dumb kids they’re dumb and they never learn to keep their dumb traps shut. Instead, they grow up to be the Limbaughs and the O’Reillys of the world, fomenting hatred and deeper ignorance in those even dumber than them (of which there seems to be a never-ending supply).
So, let’s just be honest. Half of you are below average. Deal with it. And yes, I’ll have fries with that.
David Askaripour
December 2nd, 2007 at 8:33 am
Thanks for the comments.
Jon, indeed you are. Just realize it.
Anatinus: That’s my point exactly. “Genius,” the word. The concept. It’s nothing. Powerless. It’s a construct that we’ve created to define certain people. The only power that word has is the power that we give it. As to say, people discount themselves because they feel that that aren’t a part of that concept.
Curing cancer, solving diplomatic issue, or writing books aren’t means, in my mind, to define someone as a genius. Though I believe that we ALL have the potential to do these things.
The “truth”… hmm…I don’t believe that I was lying or misleading anyone. And, actually, I’m very happy with your response. Thank you very much for it. It’s great to see people express themselves and tell the world what they believe — just as I did with my article.
I feel, however, that your attitude towards people being “dumb” isn’t going to solve anything and push us forward in meaningful way. No one is dumb. And at the same time, we don’t all have the same skill-sets in life. And that’s okay.
Thanks.
Justine
December 5th, 2007 at 8:20 am
This was a beautiful post. I like to think of things this way: Breath in, everything you need is in the air around you. If you want to be a genius, breathe in, breathe out, and act like one. If you want to be anything, just start acting as though you’ve already been annointed.
I think we do all children a disservice by classifying them so young. They learn who the “smart kids” are which means that we’ve taught children what to expect from themselves and what to settle for.
The truth is, a person is not her natural abilities, her past, or her accomplishments. She is nothing more than her intentions for the future, those things she has decided to realize for herself.
I think all of this starts with some simple breathing and the realization that everything we need has already been provided for us.
David Askaripour
December 5th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Thanks Justine, glad you enjoyed the post. You are so right about the breath. People would be surprised to know how much power there is in simple breathing practices and being mindful. Indeed, we are doing children a great disservice by labeling them as this or that instead of letting them just be as is.
Leave a Comment