It’s me, Faith, back with another enlightening post to grace your screen. Today I’m going to be talking about different forms of intelligence, and how we can be smart while appearing stupid to the general masses. For instance, I managed to get my first novel edited and published by the age of nineteen, yet I am completely incapable of cooking pancakes without burning them. Please don’t tell me it’s because I’m not following the instructions…because I am! My point is, it’s possible to be intelligent in ways that don’t align with what the general view of intelligence is. 

     Let me start by saying I hate IQ tests, and not because I’m bad at them. The tests themselves aren’t awful, they certainly indicate an ability to comprehend patterns and numbers, but somebody can ace an IQ test and still be the most insufferable, pancake burning person on the planet. Since people don’t always have the same upbringing, interests, and opportunities, measuring intelligence based on their ability to pass a Harvard entrance exam is a beyond flawed system. 

     Growing up, I had an undiagnosed math disorder. Essentially, it can be described as dyslexia but with numbers. It was difficult hearing that I wasn’t trying hard enough, that I was slow, and eventually my parents decided to homeschool me for separate reasons, but I’m glad they did. My math skills progressed, but only the ones I can use in everyday situations. I can read a clock, I can create a budget, I like to think I could pass fifth grade math with flying colors….but beyond that would be a struggle. My brain is unable to understand abstract concepts, and if I had stayed in public school, I likely would have been put into special ed classes for everything, not just math. 

     I find this ridiculous, considering I had average grades in every subject. I was able to read and write at college level in seventh grade, but because of my math skills I would be deemed below average in everything? What sort of a system is that?

      That was around the time that I started to realize that intelligence is usually measured based on understanding of school related subjects, and not on the individual person’s abilities. 

There is no intelligence test that can tell you exactly how smart a person is, or ‘how valuable an asset they are to society.’ As delicious as it would be, humans don’t all come from the same cookie press, and acting like we can be manufactured and judged based on our ability to memorize concepts is one of the things that most divides our society. 

     Can you cook a recipe without having to use a measuring cup? Are you able to figure out what’s wrong with a car after a few minutes under the hood? Or even, are you reading this right now because you’re trying to broaden your way of thought? Congratulations, all those things signify intelligence, even if you struggled to pass science in junior high. 

     Instead of ruminating on the things you aren’t good at, you should try your best and find other strengths. Don’t let somebody tell you that you’re an idiot for not understanding a concept that they understand, when there’s definitely something that you’re better at than them.

     Life is too short to let other people tell you who and what you are. 

What are you proud of, do you have any special talents that you haven’t been able to brag about until now? Feel free to share in the comments, and you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram if you want a peek at the face behind the screen, @ Idiocyreleased.