YOUNG VOICE
What's genius?
Above Average. I looked at the words once more, hoping I was mistaken. Above Average. My 12-year-old self let out a sigh of childish frustration for I expected more. I told myself to get a grip because my I.Q can't go higher even if I cry my lungs out.
I had always wanted to be called a genius, but because my intelligence quotient refuses to agree, I withdrew my hopes and started to face the reality that I may never become one.
It should have turned out to be a lifetime defeat until I came across a kid named Amadeus. He was six years old and had composed five piano pieces that are known by the world today. He was called a genius. I would have given up hope on my dreams until I came across a humble doctor named Jose. He was exceptionally fluent in more than 20 languages and wrote several revolutionary pieces that freed a nation. He was called a genius. I never thought it could be possible until I came across Edgar. He was a lonely orphan and yet had created a shipload of possibilities to American literature. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jose Rizal and Edgar Allan Poe were called geniuses in their fields.
Intelligence tests apparently were first taken in 1905 so by then, these three were already dead. They were immortalized by people by calling them genius and yet none of them took the same test that I did. Genius is generally conceived to be a state of excellence, that whenever a brilliant mind is proclaimed as one, the person becomes all that there is and the rest who failed in the same endeavor seem to lose the right and the opportunity to be called so. The world appears to insist that the title of genius is limited to the exceptional ones who were destined to be. But this above average ranker thinks otherwise. Every one of us can bear that title; we just need to find the area where we are a genius at.
People nowadays would presume that when one is called a genius, one is the ultimate symbol of utmost perfection. That notion can't be helped; we live in a very competitive world where every one wants to get ahead of another. Thus, being crowned as genius is such a huge accomplishment. But, the word genius in itself doesn't only mean superiority. Surprisingly, it also means distinctiveness, being unique and being one of a kind. I don't consider Edgar Allan Poe as the best writer that had ever lived. I strongly believe no one could ever be the best writer if there would be such that writer would be the absolute definition of perfection, but no one is perfect. Yet, I considered Edgar Allan Poe as a genius not because he was the best but because he had been distinct. He started to show the world that gross and morbid themes such as death and murder can be beautifully written into contemporary literature. That brave and distinct step of making a taboo welcome to many people is a genius act.
Sure, intelligence tests could tell who may have the most promising future in the different areas, may it be in logic, music, athletics or interpersonal connections. These intelligence tests could more or less accurately identify the genius from the average but, this is not the only measurement. And even if one will be proclaimed as genius, it would not be an assurance that he'll forever be the world's best artist or the person with the most languages spoken.
I used to dream of becoming a writer as great as Shakespeare or the many superb columnists of today, and now I still continue to dream of being one.
But, I have to find that style of writing, the words of power and inspiration that would make me distinct from those whom I admire, so then that I can be as great as them. So, I can also be called a genius.
I had three schoolmates who made it to the superior rank in the IQ test, just a rank away from genius. I kept on wishing I was in their shoes or even greater, but at that point I still haven't got a clue of the real meaning of genius. At that point I still haven't known my newlyfound friends Amadeus, Jose and Edgar. My IQ tests results were five years ago, I may have to take another one to make sure. Even if I end up being with the same rank, it's okay.
We can be geniuses in our own distinct fields.
Go find your genius.
(For comments and reactions please send an SMS to 09186363090 an email to reylangarcia@gmail.com. View my blog at http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)