How would you classify smart? I’m not talking appearance. The fine threads and dapper outfits (I love that word – dapper). I am talking about intellect. Why am I asking? Well husband and I were having a conversation the other day and a comment he made got me thinking. As much as it annoyed me he had a valid point. Just don’t tell him. Because that would smart.
I was talking about how someone had said in passing that they were too old and thick to learn new things. There isn’t too many years between us and I don’t think I am too old to learn new things. Not that I am saying I am smart by any stretch but I have had to get to grips with a fair few new things recently. Don’t get me wrong, it might take me longer to pick it up but I will give it a go. If you don’t try, you don’t know.
Is the reluctance to learn lack of self belief? Tiredness from all the other balls you are usually juggling when you are older. Possibly wanting the younger staff to step up and take more responsibility. Simply feeling why should I bother. Older people can be seen as obsolete and irrelevant. I never want to feel that is how I am seen. I’m not ready to be put out to pasture.
That got us to talking about educational achievement and who would be the smartest based on exam results and qualifications. Then he uttered the following ‘yeah but who is smarter, the one who did well at school and their career and is working their butt off or the one who doesn’t work and is living off benefits.’
His comment has some merit sadly. Then I was reminded of the comment ‘work smart not hard.’ That grated. I am not adverse to hard work and keeping current with the requirements that go with my job. I love to try new things and prove that I am still able to improve and expand my knowledge but was husband right? Is there any point in pushing yourself?
From my point of view I suppose it depends on what sits right with you. What allows you to be at peace with yourself and sleep at night. For me that means working hard and striving to be better. To constantly learn. Maybe that doesn’t make me smart. Perhaps some would say it makes me stupid.
I can’t help but ask myself if the person who doesn’t work has a lack of ambition. Fears failure? Thinks they are entitled. Maybe just lazy. It is their choice and the system helps them to live that way. Please do not think that I am referring to people who are unable to work, I’m not.
At the end of the day it will make no difference to me and how I live . I will keep working hard. Perhaps I am not smart wanting to keep learning. To keep working towards the new things I want to achieve. All so I can stand there proudly and say ‘hey I did that. It was all my hard work.’ For me there is no greater feeling than that.
So never feel you are too thick to try something new. You might not ace it but at least you tried and to me that makes you smart. You could have hidden talents then who would be the smart one. You for believing in yourself, for taking that chance. If all it needs is for someone to believe in you. Well that is me. We are smart. We can do anything E x