Are you sure you can't tell us? Because it feels like you're about to tell us.
I'm especially upset because I told my lovely friend, Anna, who graciously visits my blog, that I would write a post two weeks ago, and then I never did it. Honestly, education takes up so much of my time that I wonder if it's really that important.
So, you're blaming school for your procrastination?
Yes. In fact, I blame school for a lot of things (my insanity, my zits, my hair loss, my weight gain, my headaches, pretty much everything). I'm serious, though, when I say that I wonder if it's worth it. Even when I have a really good day at school, and I have this awesome "aha" (that's so cliché; let's call it "oho") "oho" moment which makes me realize something deep and inspiring (or sometimes disturbing, if you're an English major) that I had never thought of before. But then I wonder if maybe I could have come to that deep conclusion on my own without the classroom and professor. I'm still not sure about that one. You see, I was homeschooled from sixth grade to twelfth, so I'm very proud of the fact that I've learned many, many things on my own. I understand how this pride is a huge fault and can prevent me from learning things. Trust me; I'm working on it. But still, I also know there are may things school can't teach me.
Like love, morals, and character?
Sure, but I'm thinking a little broader here. In one of my homeschool classes, we discussed the relationship between wisdom and knowledge. We decided that knowledge is gained by memorizing facts, reading, and overall acquiring information. We also decided that wisdom is gained through experience and time. If this is the case, someone can be extremely knowledgeable or smart, but not very wise. I've actually seen this quite a lot in my life. Let me give you an example. I know a person (probably no one who reads this blog, so if you're thinking it's you, you're wrong) who is beyond smart, has very high IQ, but is not very wise, especially when it comes to social situations. This person will say things that are very taboo and offensive, then not understand why people are upset. I was thinking about this person on my way to school (which is when I have all my good thoughts), and I realized that he/she/it (don't you hate that there is no gender neutral third person singular pronoun except "it"?) reminded me of someone. I'll give you three hints:
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So, I have a confession. I've never actually read any Sherlock Holmes books.
What was that?
Sigh* Okay, so I've never actually read any Sherlock Holmes books. I feel like an English major somewhere just shed a tear and wrote me a nasty hate poem in blank verse. The truth is, everything I know about Sherlock Holmes is from the BBC TV show. So, I'm going to be talking about Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock specifically. When I watch Sherlock, I think, "Oh he's so cool!" "He's so clever!" "I wish he were real and I could meet him!" This is pretty much the extent of my thoughts for most awesome fictional characters. But, when I realized that the person I know who is socially inappropriate is similar to Sherlock, I realized I'd never want to meet him, and I feel really bad for John. I mean, Sherlock can be so mean!
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| This is about Anderson, but still, rude. |
Despite Sherlock's rudeness, we forgive him because he's smart. In the show he has no friends, but in the fandom, he's considered the coolest guy ever. I'm thinking the no friends thing is closer to reality. Social wisdom, in my opinion, is even more important than being smart. If you have a brain that is bursting with genius ideas, but you can't explain them without insulting everyone, it may not be much good to you. On the other hand, there are other people I know who are extremely kind and make everyone around them feel comfortable, and yet they have little to no formal education or especially exceptional wit. I love these people. They're definitely not stupid because wisdom never equals stupidity. Their social wisdom can be used to diffuse an argument, put those that are distressed at ease, and overall make everyone feel comfortable and satisfied. I'm not saying that you can't be smart and socially wise; I'm just relating the two extremes to give you a comparison.
Let me expound on wit for a little bit. Wit is quick, funny, surprising, and clever. It's admired because it makes us laugh, whether it takes us by surprise or is just seriously funny. Wit can show a very intelligent person who observes and is confident enough with their observations to state them as soon as they come to their head. Wit shows intelligence, but not always wisdom. For example, I've known wit to replace actual conversation. Instead of discussing feelings, thoughts, and life changing events, a constant battle of wits is being exchanged to avoid all emotional or social pitfalls that can lead to pain (Yes, I realize I'm using the passive voice. It's on purpose.). In this case, intelligence is used to actually avoid gaining social wisdom. Instead of dealing with actual emotional or personal problems, we poke fun at them until the pain is laughed away.
So this all comes about from going to college?
No, probably not. But college, a high IQ, and an excellent GPA prove nothing when it comes to wisdom. Wisdom isn't only gained from our own experience, but from learning from the experiences of others. To experience things vicariously through others, you have to be selfless, sincerely concerned about their experiences, and willing to mainly listen to them and absorb, not give advice and judge. Wisdom opens doors to so many things, especially relationships and friendships. To me, the most important thing in this life is for us to love others, learn from them, and develop meaningful relationships with them. College has many opportunities for that, but only if the focus is not on yourself, but others.
This feels a little self-helpy.
Honestly, whenever I write, I'm usually just writing a self help manual to myself. So don't take it as accusatory (even though I used second person singular pronouns throughout). I know I'm not the selfless wise person I'd like to be. But, I'll keep working on it.
