Abstract Thoughts

The toddler sits, trying to force the square piece into the puzzle. At first the anticipation keeps it's attention as it uses the little strength it's developed to force the piece through, but at some point the realization sets in that no matter how hard he tries, the wooden square is not going to fit into the circle hole. Frustrated and defeated, he tosses the piece aside and picks up the triangle, hoping for better results.

In a world of a toddler playing a game, this is quite alright. However in many cases we are the square, and the game of life plays the toddler, forcing us into impossible situations that we have no chance of success at because they do not match our make up. And like the toddler, when we can't fit certain expectations, we are tossed to the side as life tries the triangle.

The simple fact is, this world is not set up for everyone to be a success. As tragic as it is, it's a necessary evil. Nobody is going to work for Wendy's serving you fries if everybody's a doctor or lawyer. Societies need worker bees to run.

How to know you're a worker bee: If you had to think about it, you are.

Not every child's best interest is a full 12 years of standard schooling. Knowing about obtuse triangles or advanced calculus is of little benefit to the future hairdresser or car mechanic. Of course the basic foundation needs to be set in the grade school & middle years, but these types of students would be much better suited for a vocational school focusing on the field they're passionate about. Not only for the simple fact of simply not wasting years, but also because they're far less likely to do bad, drop out, etc. when placed in a program that suits their interest as opposed to one they dread going to. There's a big difference waking up in the morning to something you hate as opposed to something you love. You realize this with your jobs as adults, so realize this with your children as well. You were their age once, too.

I was one of those students that hated going to school. With a passion. I hated structure. Not so much the structure itself, but the structure that was forcing me down a path of little benefit to myself. I have a very creative mind. I want to be making, inventing & molding, not learning what year in 1442 something happened. It didn't matter to me. And 8 years after graduation, it still doesn't matter.

The problem with the ordinarily-structured school system is it primarily takes one only type of intelligence into consideration: The ability to memorize and repeat learned knowledge. If you can do this you are one of the "smart kids", if not, you are stupid or troubled.

There are many types of intelligence opposed to this kind that never get the chance to shine in this environment. Save for a few classes such as art, the creative mind, such as those with linguistic or musical intelligence (2 scientifically recognized types of intelligence) is of little value to this environment. Or the child with another recognized type, interpersonal intelligencee, is extremely adept at communicating and understanding others and tends to have many strengths in fields related to leadership. He may also be much better suited for something other than your standard high school.

So, to the parents, try to set your children off on the right track. If you are grown, listen up.

Maybe you are not meant to be a salesman. You're shy at everything else you do and try to mold yourself into someone you're not at work for the paycheck but you are constantly being outsold by the others with more creative methods of selling. Maybe you are the type that has more organizational skills and would be better as a secretary or personal assistant.

I am not a desk person. I hate being stuck to a desk for 8 hours a day, knowing the world is passing me by outside. The key is for me to find my niche, learn how to make a living off of it, and run with it. You can get by forcing yourself into situations, but you'll rarely thrive.

Find your passion and learn how to make it lucrative. And if you've never had any of these doubts in your head, then you're already halfway there.

Filed under PERSONAL GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT