I cannot tell you how many times I've been asked where I went to college, and when I say that I didn't, the most common response is "Really?! But you're so smart!" While I am flattered by the compliment, I can't help but be annoyed by the assumption that you can only be smart if you have gone to college.
This is a common misconception in our society today. There is this notion that if you are intelligent, you must be well educated. And that if you are well educated, you must be intelligent. While this may sometimes hold true, the opposite is often more accurate.
I know many college educated, overly degreed morons. True story. These folks could quote classic literature, do math faster than a calculator, and ace a spelling test. But don't ask them to change a light bulb, or chew gum and walk at the same time, because I can promise you... it ain't happening.
I also know several non educated folks who can barely spell their names, but they could tell you every detail about how a computer, or an engine works.
The point is... Educated does not always equal intelligent, and vise versa, and we need to quit assuming that it does.
I didn't go to college, but I would hardly call myself stupid. While I may not know quadratic equations, or the Latin names for plants and animals, I can still hold my own in most conversations. I also don't need help tying my shoes, or making a pot roast. And I've come to find that some of the most highly educated people cannot function well in everyday life. If you spend too much time in the relative shelter of university walls, you often miss out on basic life lessons & skills. This makes functioning in the real world difficult for some, and impossible for others. There are many a great scholar, and leader in their fields, who have the common sense of a door knob.
Am I suggesting that you cannot be both intelligent AND educated? Not at all. I know many people who are both. But I also know many people who are one, and not the other.
I'd also like to point out that telling someone who didn't go to college that they still could, or "It's not too late." is also annoying. Do I wish I had gone to college? Sure. Because it's much more acceptable to be 20, and have no idea what you want to be when you grow up, than it is to be 34, and still not know. Yes, I COULD go to college. But I don't WANT to go. It's just not for me. I hated school. It was not an environment that I thrived in. I love learning things, and while some classes do interest me, college as a whole does not.
I also do not think I need a degree to be a better person, and this is another perception that many people have. There is an attitude of negativity associated with non educated people. That we must not be functioning, worthwhile members of society. That needs to stop. Yes, there are many uneducated people out there who may fit this stereotype, but there are just as many educated ones that fit it as well. A degree (or several degrees) does not make you better than anyone else. Mechanics, cooks, janitors, and construction workers are just as important to a well balanced society as doctors, lawyers, and art history majors.
Now, I'm a big fan of inspirational quotes, and when it comes to the subject of knowledge vs. wisdom, there are many. Here are some that I'd like to share:
"Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life."
"Knowledge comes from learning, wisdom comes from living."
"We can have all the knowledge in the world, but it means nothing without the wisdom to know what to do with it."
"To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe."
I think you get my point. Some of the wisest, most intelligent people in this world are also some of the least educated. While I firmly believe that education is important, I also know that it isn't an option for everyone. And I know that life lessons can often teach us a great deal more than any teacher or book. So the next time you want to make an assumption about someone without a college degree, try assuming they are just as smart, well balanced, and capable as you.
You know those inspirational posters that you see in offices and schools? The ones with the cat hanging from the tree that says "Just Hang In There" or the captivating image of a man atop a great mountain that simply says "Determination". Yeah well, these aren't those. These are real life nuggets of wisdom, learned the hard way. No flowery, cutesy, awe inspiring imagery. No scrolly, swirly fonts. Just golden gems of truth. Ponder them. Memorize them. Share them with your friends. Just remember where you heard them. Don't try to claim them as your own, or I will find you, and slap the ever lovin' crap out of you. This shit is mine. See the title? TEENA'S TRUTHS. I'm Teena. Not you. And don't you forget it.
If you don't believe me, just ask the last people who tried to steal my stuff. Oh that's right, you can't. I blew them up. (Thank you M.Campbell Photography for this kick ass photo.)
Anywho.... without further adieu, here is my unparalleled genius. Enjoy.
"Get up, put on something pretty, slap some extra shiny lip gloss on, and make today count before it's over."
"Having a bad hair day? Just wear a low cut shirt or a high cut skirt, and no one will notice."
"There are very few things that glitter, new shoes, and a good song can't fix. For everything else, there's alcohol."
"Practice makes perfect. But if it doesn't, just try not to fuck it up too bad."
"If he doesn't make you laugh AND orgasm, he's not the one."
"Never judge a man by his car. Unless it's a Camaro. Then it's safe to assume he's a douchebag."
"Always use protection. Sex is better without a screaming baby in the other room."
"There's only so much stupid that good looks and a hot body can make up for. So brush up on current events, and read a book from time to time."
"Work hard, play hard, and fuck hard. Not necessarily in that order."
"Always dress to impress. You never know who you'll be making a first impression on. Plus, no one likes a lazy slob."
"Never be ashamed of being yourself. Be ashamed of being someone else, because they probably aren't as awesome."
"Always wear waterproof mascara. Rain and tears are easier to wipe off than black gunk."
"No one likes a whiner. Man the hell up, or shut the hell up."
"Never underestimate the power of a hot bath or a cold beer."
"If you can't find a good man, invest in some good batteries."
That's it for now. I'm sure your brain probably imploded after the first three anyway. There's only so much brilliance the average mind can handle. But don't fret, there will be more. I am brimming with barely contained cleverness.
I (vaguely) remember being a teenager, and thinking that 30 was old. I also thought flannel was the greatest fabric created, so what the hell did I know?
The point is... the older you get, the more your definition of "old" changes. I no longer define old. Age is just a number, and attitude is everything. Some days, I feel really old. Other days, I feel quite young. But talking with a friend the other day, she was telling me how nervous she was to celebrate her 30th birthday this year. That got me to thinking... Are your 30's really that bad?? I was surprised to realize that, so far, I am rather enjoying them. I think people take you more seriously in your 30's. You've lost that ignorance of youth, and are now gaining wisdom. You are old enough to take part in everything, and still young enough to enjoy most of it. So would I want to be 18 again? No. And here's why...
I'm smarter now. I have a better understanding of the world around me and how things work. At 18, you're naive to most things, and so you make MANY mistakes. So now I get to enjoy the wisdom and knowledge that those lessons taught me, and laugh at the younger generations.
I'm happier now. Teenage angst is so dramatic. Your world view is so narrow that the littlest things seem catastrophic and earth shattering. In your 30's, you don't sweat the small stuff as much. You understand that life is short and you learn to count your blessings. You know that there is REAL tragedy in the world, and you know how to put things into perspective.
At 18, you think friendships are about quantity. In your 30's, you know it's really about quality. It isn't how many friends you have, it's how meaningful those relationships are. It isn't about how much time you spend together, it's about what that time entails. With age, you learn to weed out fair weather friends, users and abusers. The people in my life now are the people who truly matter. Ones who have stood by me through thick and thin, and who I would do anything for.
Being single is not all it's cracked up to be. As a teen, the idea of being with someone for more than a month seems insane. You want to catch all the fish in the sea. You are always thinking you can do better. In your 30's, if you are single, you envy your committed friends. You've caught most of the fish in the sea, and would happily throw them back. A happy, monogamous relationship is one of the greatest things in life. If you are lucky enough to be in one (and thank the stars, I am) you value it and nurture it.
I am much more comfortable in my body. At 18, I didn't hate my body, but I would happily have changed it. I was quick to see the flaws and tried to hide behind baggy clothes. Now, I own it. I have curves now, and I love them. (I wouldn't hate having a FEW less in some areas, mind you.) I feel content in my skin and accept it, flaws and all. When my hubs tells me I look sexy, I actually FEEL sexy. That doesn't mean the same thing to me as it did in my teens and 20's. I only THOUGHT I knew what sexy was then... now I understand that it has less to do with your size and more to do with your attitude.
I've accepted who I am. In your teens, you are still discovering yourself. Figuring out where you fit and who you are. By your 30's, you (should) have that figured out. You know what you believe, what you stand for and what you will and won't tolerate. I know I'm far from perfect, and that's ok. There is nothing wrong with who I am. (Though some may argue that.) I truly don't care what people think of me, because I understand that the people who matter, will love me, flaws and all, and the rest aren't my problem.
Now I could go on, of course, but I think you get the idea. Aging isn't something to dread, or to fear. It simply means you are getting better. Like a fine wine. Or cheese. Yes... I am becoming a stinky, classy cheese, and I am proud of it. So own who you are. At every age. Because you are growing into a better, more well oiled version of yourself, and that is a very good thing.
