I always believe that intelligence can be acquire. First, from the formation of the brain. Second, from the genetic formation. Third, from the environment that surrounds you.
It was always been said that “Luckily are the ones who came from a family of scholars and geniuses.” The proper formation of the brain and the genetic formation contribute a great aspect on intelligence. A person who possesses the former finds no hardships in dealing with regular activities and learning. Based from researches, studies and my own observations — there is no doubt about that.
But what makes difference is when a person acquires the knowledge through his environment. More challenges lie ahead. Survival speaks the most.
I had a middle-class neighbor. I worked for him during summer days doing errands at the young age of 12. And I usually called him “Genius”. He was a teacher, became a college dean, then became a college president, then now happily retired writing novels. Lately, I had learned, he graduated Magna Cum Laude in his bachelor. He is Dr. Santos Orobia.
At the onset of the morning until early hours of the night, I always heard the click-clack of the typewriter. I curiously asked him. “You are a teacher. Is this what the teacher does? TAK-TAK-TAK everyday?” He smiled and answered, “I don’t stop studying.” I was like, “Ah!” wondering. “He is a teacher and yet still studying.”
His line, “I don’t stop studying” became my fortress. I studied as much as I could. I incredibly acquired intelligence partly from my heredity and mostly from the environment. Challenges, hard work and perseverance helped me to nourish the intelligence I had. Continuous learning satisfied my crave to learn many things as much as possible. (See my related posts – Learning: A Perspective – what I had learned for 43 years of my life)
Survival – seeing my neighbor being well-off and I had none, I challenged myself to study a lot and find ways to survive. I remembered my teacher told me, “Ikaw ang batang maparaan.” ( I asked some waste bond papers from xerox centers and made them as my notebook.) Seeing the problem and giving them a brilliant solution adds up to intelligence just to survive in any cases.
Challenge – he became rich because of his hard work. I instilled hard work and passion in every tasks I had to do so that in the end, I will become rich. And I can testify, “that is true!” Hard work pays off.
Being Poor doesn’t mean you are Dumb – The economic family status became a ground to persevere and became wise. The situation forced me to handle works out of my league but, perhaps, the good thing was — it taught me to become wise.
Continual – after I learned a thing, I study a new thing. “I DON’T STOP LEARNING.” It made me bored when I just sit on my couch, sip a cup of coffee, watch film, then sleep. My life doesn’t make sense if I just it let become lousy.
Self-actualization and self-gratification as I can describe, is the peak of my success. I hate learning things and owning it my own. I need to share it to others. At least, I am imparting knowledge and becoming a responsible human being. The shares I made pushed me to get refresh again.
Without further ado, I therefore conclude, most intelligence can be acquired outside our biological aspect. The environment around you contributes massively to the development of your intelligence.
So don’t get dismay, as long as you can identify the correct colors, count until 100’s, name yourself, practically no brain damages – anyone can be intelligent – JUST KEEP ON LEARNING!
–rowenapraxEDS103
LIFE'S PURPOSE 