According to psychologist Howard Gardner, there is 7 distinct types of intelligence. They are linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, musical, interpersonal and intrapersonal. To find out more about them, do check out some of this sites:
Professor Lamp
http://members.aol.com/adon/intell.htm
Everything2
I have receive many compliments in the past about how smart I am. To be honest, I have to say I am able to understand things easily and pick up knowledge quite well. The thing is, my intelligence is only in the logical-mathematical region with perhaps a touch of spatial and linguistic. The problem with schools (and the reason why I hate the education system) is that it only rewards 2 types of intelligence; logical-mathematical and linguistic.
Having said that, I'll admit that I can be considered stupid in the other intelligence areas. In fact, I envy those who are good in those parts. It frustrates me that those who are brilliant in other areas are considered as stupid, dumb or useless simply because the education system has fail to recognize their geniuses.
I admire those who are skilled at linguistic. Those who can speak multiple languages or those who create a story that's so engaging, it thrills me to the bone. I especially exclaim awe at those witty comedians. It is truly a gift and a special talent to be able to use mere words to create fantasies and grand adventures. I marvel at the people who can reach out to different people from different languages or those who bring joy and laughter everywhere they go. I considered comedians to be truly geniuses.
I marvel at dancers, at builders and constructors. I won't pretend to understand art nor to be able to discern what dancers are trying to say but I still admire at the grace at which they move across the stage. To be able to move about with both power and fluidity is mesmerizing. I gaze in wonder at the beautiful artwork I see around me. Even a simple handmade decorated ruler gets my wonderment. I guess it's because I can't build anything with my hands (my low grades in Kemahiran Hidup speak for themselves). The perfectionist in me demands pin-point accuracy so I end up overdoing the creation or by dampening it, forces me to accept haphazard work. That's why those who can shape and create art using their hands and bodies really should be recognized for the greatness they have.
As with most people, I like music. Unlike quite a number of people, I can't create music. I tried, and I failed. It's not in me. I can't write a simple jingle to save my life, let alone a complete song. I admire Bach, Beethoven, Linkin Park and all musical artist not because I like their music (some I just hate through and through), but because they can create music. It's a wonderful gift and one I often wished I had.
But the one intelligence that I really admire and sometimes, become envious about is interpersonal. I look up at the people who can easily talk to others, even strangers. To be able to get along with mostly anyone, to connect with others on a very personal basis and to be able to 'link' with people. Me, I find it hard just talking to the friends I have, let alone going out and make new friends. I'll admit I can feel a little jealous of those who can engage and hold conversations so easily and can make friends very well. It's a shame that their gifts are only recognized abstractly.
In a nutshell, you can say that I admire those who are creative and/or gifted in the arts side. I'm truly blessed that my intelligence is recognized by the schooling system, so I don't have the inferior mindset that I'm stupid. But I feel for those who were told that they were dumb simply because their skills do not match what the school is grading. To be able to paint the next Mona Lisa, to build the David, it's really a great shame that these intelligences are not recognize except through private institutions. I have always believe that the scores on a test has never reflected a person's true worth and it frustrates me that I can't change the world to make it recognize every human being for what they truly are in God's eyes: a person with a unique gift, an intelligence that will allow them to contribute to society in ways we could never imagine. I hope one day, people will not feel stupid, simple because a piece of paper says they are.
You really are smarter than you think you are. You just have to believe it.
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