There Is No Such Thing As A Stupid Person

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
–Marianne Williamson

First, let me apologize if the final sentence of this paragraph comes off as arrogance. When I do come off as overly confident, it is almost always masking some form of  insecurity. Having said that, I do consider myself a bright guy and people always compliment me on how smart I am.

What makes me so smart? Is it genetics? My mom’s a bright gal, but I do not believe that a culture or race has better attributes than the next; be it physical or mental aptitude. Is it education? Absoultly not. I only have a GED and have never received a single college credit. And if Bernie Madoff and the nightly evening news has taught us anything, it’s that some of the brightest people are in prison. And I know more than my fair share of trust fund kids and these are some of the dumbest people on Earth. Some of them become, what I call, “career students”. I guess they hope that the more letters they get next to their names the more prepared and easy it will be to enter the real world. It won’t.

So what makes a smart person? It’s not a genetic die roll.  And it’s not the free time that a parent or student loan provided for a frameable receipt. It’s several things.

One, it’s an attitude. The ability to have different perspectives on things is not a logical product, as we have been led to believe, as much as it is an emotional one. To see all avenues – and more importantly, to create new ones – takes a person who is willing to let go of common belief in the face of ridicule, try new things in defieance of one’s own common sense, and enjoyment (which breeds creativity) in the problem when others can only embrace frustration. These are things that do not belong to any race or classroom.

Another, is motivation. We as humans all have certain characteristics. Most of them good; some of them bad. One of these is the feeling that the world and life owes us something. It doesn’t. If you feel your family should love you just because you share the same blood, you are wrong. What a lonely world that would be. It’s an extremely selfish and lazy way to think. I am no different. I would like to say, “I am different”, but I find myself falling into the self-pity trap to this day, although I am getting better! Everyone says they would love to start their own business, learn a new language, play an instrument, be able to read X amount of books, etc. But how many people actually get beyond the initial research? After that, you have to plan and then implement. And even if you get that far, then comes the highest hurdle: failure. If you dream of getting fit, you may read the exercise articles online, you may buy the running shoes, but after that first tough mile; will you be back? Odds are you won’t. And to blast though that, and gain mastery in whatever subject or task takes a motivated individual. And this also does not belong to any race or classroom.

The main difference, I find, between a smart person and a stupid person is excuse making. I grew up poor and isolated. I grew up rich and isolated. I had a terrible parent(s). I did not have a parent(s). I’m too young to do that. I’m too old to do that. I can’t do it now, but I’ll do it later. (And once the later becomes now) I can’t do it now, but I’ll do it later.

Excuses are great. It shifts blame and it let’s you escape responsibility. But don’t expect to get any new results or reach any of your goals. Instead of learning new things and expanding your mind, you’ll be in an endless episode of, “Why me?”

I have bad news for all you “stupid people” and excuse makers. You’re not stupid. You just refuse to apply yourself. You want the world. And guess what? You can have it. You just refuse to try. Don’t look to me and others to inspire you. Be your own inspiration. Be your own challenge. Be your own sense of pride and accomplishment. Create your own dynamic world of interests and hobbies.

I know you’re smart enough. And what scares you to death, is that you know you’re smart enough too.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

–Marianne Williamson