Glimpse 21 - How "smart" are you?

Last week I'd had it. Up to my eyeballs, over my head with the bull pucky of people telling me how much more able I am because of how smart I am. My newsflash at the time was retorted back, with a bit of rage, "Not smarter or more able. I am just that stubborn."

When it came time to do or be any of the two trillion things I am and have skills or game in - these things did NOT come as easily as everyone seems to "think" they did. Truth be told, I've worked my ass off to keep up with myself and what I want to create in my life. I wasn't born computer literate, sales and marketing savvy, coach proficient. I wasn't born a mother or a cancer survivor. I didn't chart my conscious course for most of my life. I just showed up and didn't want to be the "lazy" or "stupid" one of the bunch. The phrase self-responsibility is underkill for the way my heart, mind and soul works. I used to think I could not shut it off - now I know I do not want to.

I don't often feel sorry for people. Two weeks ago when I heard and saw at least 20 talented people in 48 hours telling me how lucky I was to be so smart, I did feel sorry for them. Because if I'm smart, they must be less smart? This cannot be. I felt sorry for them seeing themselves as less able, less determined and less lucky than I am. And the truth of the matter is, I'm not smarter, it's that choice I made to never give up. It's based on my "getting up and going with it" character, temperament, value system and upbringing. It's at the heart of who I am. The dogged never give upper-er.

In marriage and dating I've dumbed down, dumbed out and been completely miserable. How is it people can exist in that mode for long? I cannot imagine sitting down for too long thinking or feeling the world and my circumstances are stacked against me. As long as I'm breathing, there has to be a way up and out of whatever low valley I'm standing in. Is this truly that different than what others believe about life and themselves? Last week, the results seemed to be indicating all systems are red or yellow for many, many others in the smart-mobile.

Then, last week, a seven year old girl who weighs in at 38 pounds got kicked by a horse. Lacerated liver, separated kidney, compressed and collapsed lung and countless other life threatening physical issues faced her, her doctors and her family and friends. I got to read daily of the updates of this little butterfly warrior princess overcoming - miracle upon miracle continues to happen. The fragile thread of life growing back to a good thick and connected rope. I saw and heard of all the hundreds of people who joined in prayer, meditation and well wishes. People believed. They saw her as well. They stepped up in faith and hope and bet everything on her overcoming insurmountable odds to regaining life. And.. she did and is.

Boy, she must be really lucky. No, I bet she's super smart. No. She's stubborn, she knows what she wants and she's going for it. Her parents know what they want and haven't left her bedside since she was admitted some 11 days ago. Through pain, suffering, turmoil, confusion this little gal and her family are steppin up to the plate and swinging for the fences - every day, all day. They have their eye on the prize and nothing and nobody is going to get in the way of recovery. They are smart people because they are good people and stubborn people and willing to do the work.

So it took a seven year old facing incredible odds to teach me that "smart" now means good and stubborn, willing to do the work to overcome and acheive or accomplish whatever it is.

Go ahead, tell me how smart I am this week - and watch me beam back at you and receive it with - "Why yes, yes I am."

How about you? What's your definition of smart? Are you that smart?