Intelligence

I think I've said before that I don't like saying, Kira is smart, because I think it's tacky.  But really there is another reason.  How I feel about being smart has changed over the years, and based on what I know now, I choose not to emphasize being smart to Kira.

When I was little, my family and my teachers always told me that I was smart.  I totally believed them.  I'm not blaming them for doing something wrong; I suppose it's their jobs to tell me that I'm smart and to strengthen my self esteem.  My parents especially emphasized the importance of being smart.  They subconsciously ingrained in me that being smart was the sole answer to a successful future and a happy life.

When I got to high school, I realized that there are a lot of smart people out there, and most of them are smarter than I.  It took me a while to accept that I can't always be as smart as the smartest, and that I don't need to be as smart as the smartest.  As I've met a greater diversity of people, I now feel that being smart is not the end-all and be-all to a wonderful life.  I've met some lovely smart people and some nasty smart people and I've come to the conclusion that whether or not someone is smart does not greatly determine how much money he makes or how well he enjoys life.  Even if there is some correlation, for example if it is true that smarter people make slightly more money and have a clue as to how to live life better than the rest, it doesn't mean that people with average intelligence can't feel success and happiness.  

Based on my limited experience, I don't think being smart is the greatest asset, and this is a message I think I want Kira to know.  I value other assets such as good communication, including sensitivity to and awareness of others' thoughts and feelings.  Also, good manners; having good manners guides us on how to behave gracefully and with sophistication in society.  Also, even-temperedness;  this is one I have to work on myself, but I think it is very important for making good decisions and treating others well.  Finally, I think being resourceful is very useful; in particular, being resourceful enough to know your own strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to present a more well-rounded self.

These are just my thoughts.  It's late and I had to get this off my brain before I could sleep.  I'm not completely confident that this is the best way to raise Kira.  I hesitate...but I'm glad I got it out so that I can better work out my plan for teaching my baby--babies.