I
was born
into
a family
with
several "gifted" members.
I have
had the
pleasure
of knowing
many
persons
of high
intellect.
As a
student
of behavioral
sciences,
I have
not only
read,
but intimately
observed
the following
characteristics
that
seem
to ride
in tandem
with
the double
edged
sword
of super
intelligence.
Consider
the well-known
principle
of over-endowment;
it seems
that
nature's
way of
balance
is to
leave
some
area
of our
psyche
underdeveloped
when
we are
overdeveloped
in another.
The tradeoff
for super
intelligence
is very
often
emotional
immaturity
and underdevelopment.
Characteristics
that
are observed
to be
eccentric
are actually
the outbursts
of a
child
within
who has
deferred
growth
and maturity,
diverting
the energies
to this
person's
mental
faculties.
How often
do you
see gifted
people
behaving
as children,
fascinated
and consumed
by its
own fingers
and toes?
They
may be
open
and giving,
but they
want
to be
the one
serving
tea at
the tea
party.
It's
THEIR
party,
after
all!
I was
even
told
by a
friend
that
I must
follow
his "rules" of conversation
since
it was
he who
initiated
it, and
it was
therefore
HIS conversation.
How classic!
The child
lives
- and
thrives
- and
has its
being
behind
the steering
wheel
of a
very
powerful
machine.
A really
clever
child
even
learns
how to
deflect
criticism,
or other
elements
that
threaten
to remove
him from
the driver's
seat.
Perhaps
it is
preservation,
or merely
a contest
of wit
and will,
but the
child
wishes
to remain
dominant
and in
control.
Like
the baby
who is
caught
up with
its own
fingers
and toes,
and whose
vision
is limited
by its
narrow
peripheral
of SELF,
an emotionally
immature
person
is compelled
to manipulate
people
and circumstances
to its
own gratification.
Picture
the little
girl
who carefully
arranges
her dolls
and toys
into
an arena
-- a
classroom,
or an
audience.
She maneuvers
them
totally
for her
gratification.
A really
clever
child
can even
take
statements,
comments,
remarks
given
by others,
and then
rearrange
the meaning,
or project
the words
back
in such
a way
as to
put the
speaker
under
scrutiny,
or into
outright
confusion.
It is
simply
a trick
to avoid "swallowing
the peas"
-- of
looking
at themselves
in the
light
of others
and responding
in an
appropriate
way.
By deflection
and projection,
the child
is able
to maintain
its control,
even
over
the shape
& form
of "TRUTH".
The child's
narcissism
prevails
and all
things
-- including
ALL THINGS
-- are
his to
create
his world
according
to his
capricious
SELF.
A child
does
not know
or practice
the art
of GIVE
AND TAKE
beyond
its own
pleasure
or needs.
Oh, the
child
gives.
Just
as a
precious
toddler
drops
a muddy
frog
into
his mother's
open
hand.
Just
as a
dog brings
its master
some
bedraggled
treasure.
But the
child
does
not necessarily
give
according
to the
need
of others.
See the
difference?
Children
have
shown
great
compassion
toward
people
and animals.
It is
a wonder
to behold
the empathy
and caring
of a
child's
heart.
However,
they
will
respond
according
to their
SELF;
i.e.
offer
assistance
that
is completely
within
their
ego-centric
boundaries,
and not
inclusive
of the
thoughts
and/or
desires
of others.
The indicator
is balance.
The child
can "Show
and Tell"
but can
it "Watch
and Listen"?
As our
spiritual
awareness
expands,
we are
lifted
from
the one-dimensional
preoccupation
with
SELF,
as we
include
people
and energies
of our
surroundings
into
our thought
process.
The more
we grow,
the more
our awareness
broadens
so that
we become
concerned
with
the issues
of our
SELF
and OTHERS
... as
we are
more
integrally
part
of others,
as we
become
cohesively
involved
with
the lives
and/or
actions
of others.
Ultimately,
we will
see OTHERS
as our
SELF
and no
longer
need
to engage
in the
narcissism
and exclusivity
of our
own fingers
and toes!
Meanwhile,
it would
be most
expedient
to engage
a loving
friend
with
whom
this
manchild,
or womanchild,
has become
secure
and who
will
encourage
their
natural
instincts
and behavior.
They
can illuminate
points
of conflict
between
the CHILD
in action,
and the
thoughts/actions
of a
more
mature
person
.....
Give
and take
... Open
to thoughts/actions
of others
....
Able
to form
symbiotic
associations
and to
blend
energies
with
others.
Able
to be
the driver
or the
passenger.
The wonder,
innocence,
fascination,
and curiosity
of the
child
remain
....
to the
absolute
delight
of us
all!
But the
behavior
becomes
more
balanced.
The mature
person
becomes
enriched,
and functions
much
more
to the
benefit
of the
world
around
him.
|
Our
Parents'
Parents