GENIUS OR JERK

I’ve met a lot of geniuses in my life – real honest to goodness brilliant people. Okay, genius per se is a big word to use everyday. But intelligence– they’re everywhere. I have so much respect for intelligence – clever brainpower. Am not speaking of the intelligence of books or mathematical acumen but rather of the kind which leads a person to do what is right and correct at the right given time and place with real understanding, zeal and compassion. One that cuts through the mumbo-jumbo of complex facade, veneer, or pretense which people oftentimes put up in many situations but for a certain reason.

Are we getting confused there?

Okay, I sort out intelligence into two kinds – the CC (cold cerebral) and the WI (warm intellect).

The first one is behind all the brilliant inventions or creations of our times then and now and in the future yet. It establishes principles, theories, formulas, systems, doctrines, ideologies, and space flights to outer space. It writes outstanding essays, books, manuscripts, and reaps oodles of recognition which our society could ever invent for them. And they deserve it all. I won’t argue over that. They have my respect and admiration.

The second one is where I would put my last money on, if I were to choose who I’d want to be marooned with on a deserted island somewhere-nowhere on the map. And I wouldn’t even care to be found or rescued or miss the companionship of my three lovely dogs…and a lazy but cuddly cat.

Hmmm, I sense a question forming in your mind now. :-)

Let's try this.

Marooned on an island with CC may assure me of an effective make-shift shelter or a regular supply of fish caught with an intelligent contraption made out of coconut trees would probably be a creative comfy and secure stay on the island until help comes along. But I’m such a big nervous wreck when things go amiss. I cope in extremes by either nagging on the issue or shutting up keeping it all inside. Now I wonder how CC would cope with something like that.

Maybe he’s going to quote me the emotional principles contained in psychology books to explain my fears, or the possibility percentage of being found and rescued, or at worst be so angry or flare up with my irregular behavior, or scoff at my efforts to want to contribute to his plans for a rescue. Duh! he's as cold as the icy wind blowing over the island.

Let’s try WI.

The shelter would still be made though but maybe not as sophisticated as the other one and the fish will still be on our menu but sometimes we may have to do with fruits if there would be some on the island or just have to go to bed without it at all.

When at times my fears get the best of me, he would be right there beside me and be such a comforting presence, explain things in a gentle genuine manner, or engage in a story to take my mind off my fears. Or if I opt to be a recluse instead, he would try to draw me out of it with gentle coaxing or maybe even with playful humor. He’s be so much in control of himself, the situation, and even of me (which I certainly wouldn’t mind lols with a genuine fella like that).

Such an environment of down-to-earth concern (which I would think is both his brains and heart working together) would succeed to calm down my fears and effectively draw me out to reciprocate in like manner towards him too. That would certainly earn my trust and confidence in his leadership in the situation to which I’d give my full support. So the situation now becomes an ‘us’ situation – where not one or the other would serve as the protector or the one being protected – but of two people working together intelligently to solve the problem.

Now isn’t that a show of good sound healthy intelligence of the right kind?! Something that warms the heart so.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against brilliant minds, nope. I admire intelligence or brilliance in any person. It’s a God-given gift. But it would help if such brilliance is tempered with a more humane approach towards life and the people around you. Genius may take you to the big time, fat paychecks, top scale jobs, and the adulation of your peers – true. But what worth is all that when there is so much lack in the other areas of your life.

- When your kids see you only on birthdays, sometimes not (why can’t you find time for that but always keep tab of your boss’s anniversary?)

- When your wife can’t even discuss some important event in the family without you muttering an obviously lame excuse and leave (are things of the home so mundane for your precious time and mind?)

- When close friends can’t do lighthearted banter around you without you brushing it all off as a waste of time (do you know that some worthwhile things are not found inside the boardroom at all?)

- When your small kid comes to you with a broken toy and you instead opt to buy him an expensive intricate brand new one as replacement (do you really think that’s what he wants from you?)

Know where you should put your brilliance. Put your genius to better use with people who mean the world to you. Okay, be the brilliant person that you are to the world, but be even a better one to your family and close friends.

A man may be a genius but he can still do things

that practically break your heart. –James Q. Du Pont