So I've come to a point in my life where I am taking a good look at myself. Some things I am pleased with - I am married to a man that I love that loves me, my children are happy and healthy, I'm writing like I always wanted to. Then there are the things that I am not pleased with - my weight, our finances, some family relationships that are forever ruined because of a deranged woman. But all that is really nothing new.
Recently, however, something new DID occur to me: I am an idiot. No, seriously, I am an idiot. Not in the sense that I do idiotic things (at least not often and really, I don't care about that). No, I'm talking about the fact that apparently EVERYONE around me is smarter than me. Sure, I play a mean game of Scrabble and am good at word games but education wise? I am a complete loser. I graduated high school, I know, but I was a middle-of-the-road-student. I wasn't near the top of my class but I certainly wasn't at the bottom. I didn't finish college because of family issues and finances. I really didn't regret it at the time.
But now? I mean, I hang out with a lot of great people and they all have degrees and talents and skills and knowledge that is so far beyond me that it is scary!! I'm starting to not mind not having a job and just doing my piddly little freelance-writing-for-a-penny thing because clearly that is all that I am worth and why should I be out there for the world to mock??
I have found that a lot of my friends are not only college graduates but they graduated as scientists or have doctorates or PhD's! Sure, they're all stay at home mom's like me but it was their CHOICE! I'm a stay at home mom because I am too unskilled to actually get hired for anything! I have to tell you, it is NOT a good feeling.
Good thing my computer desk is in a corner because now I can wear my "Dunce" cap in the proper location.
*Today's Examiner.com article is on standardized testing and the Iowa test. It goes well with today's blog, don't you think? You can read it HERE. Thanks!*
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11 comments:
do you like being at home? are you happy writing? that's what you should think about, not how you compare your intellect with someone else. who really cares how smart someone is anyway. if you enjoy what you are doing and are happy with the person you are then that's all that matters. if you are not happy with those things and want to know more, you have the internet at your disposal and a wealth of information. don't be so hard on yourself, i think you're awesome!
Stace, you are NOT an idiot!
You may not have the piece of paper that says you've been in school an extra 4, 8 or 12 years, but you have life knowledge. That accounts for a lot. Sometimes those people with a lot of "book knowledge" have no true life knowledge and truly couldn't survive in the world without the comforts of their professional world. I say they are so smart they're stupid.
As PJ said, don't be so hard on yourself.
You have probably learned as much in your lifetime as any of your friends did during their college years. But again, you just don't have the peice of paper to acknowledge it.
Think of the Scarecrow and the Wizard of Oz.
KEEP DOING WHAT YOU LOVE!!!!
I've known some "educated fools." You are intelligent, witty and a good mom. I really enjoy reading your blog. Your worth is not measured by intials like BS, MS and PhD.
We are not measured by a piece of paper. There are many dumb people who hold PHD's. I love reading what you write. Your value as a person, blogger, mom, wife and friend is what counts. I'd say, if you look at those items, you are pretty doggone smart.
I feel the same way sometimes, because i too quit college due to finances. I keep thinking of going back...maybe taking classes online...who knows. And, you are not an idiot. Not even close.
Who is teaching whose kids? enough said!
Stace you are a wonderful... funny... sweet and intelligent woman. You're a great Mom and a great Writer so don't let not having a degree get to you or hold you back. Lot's of people succeed without one... and you can too! Having a degree isn't everything it's cracked up to be either... look how many people have them and are working regular everyday jobs in restaurants and stores etc... just follow your heart and your dreams :)
A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~
I think you are being way to hard on yourself. First of all, the first thing you said was that you are happy, and I think that is most important. Secondly, believe it or not I was the smart kid. And I didn't take what I truly wanted to in college, and a year out I was managing restaurants and happier than I was doing the bigwig job I "thought" I wanted. The big thing I am learning about life is that NO ONE is living the life you think they are.
Well, I really am one of the smartest people you will ever meet, and I've got to tell you that it is a lot harder being like I am than what most realize. I mean, I am always having to explain something several times to my wife, and all I get for my trouble are dirty looks and more knots on my head. You would think that she would be more thankful for being with someone as brilliant as me, but I imagine that she would probably tell you that you should be thankful that you are not like I am. (LOL?)
Please don't be so hard on yourself. It's easy to do, we all do it. But I work with lots of people with degrees and you know what? They're all the same. They don't exactly walk and talk intelligently. All it means is they've studied one thing for a really long time. It does not mean they know how to do anything else outside their discipline with the same level of skill.
p.s. I was also a middle-of-the-road student, but I don't care. What we study is not what makes us worthwhile. It's how we are as people, how we treat others, and how others see the goodness in us.
Chin up!
ok woman! what's up w/you! i cant believe what i just read- you hung out w/me a few days ago and guess what - I dont have that college degree and how many times have i come to you for help and advice for my kids w/their schooling- you are an awesome person who is educated by life - the good the bad and the ugly- and that makes you who you are today - a very special person in the eyes of us who get the honor of knowing you and in the eyes of our heavenly father who loves you with or w/out a piece of paper -
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