Antics and Nonsense

Beautiful, but how intelligent?

When someone is considered intelligent, we often say they are “wise as an owl.” That phrase we define as a cliche and it is used so often that our curiosity has all but disappeared. Not only is such a grammatical hiccup non-creative, but we could make an enemy real quick when referring to a person in that manner. Why? Because owls, according to those wildlife experts who work with them, can not be trained to do even the simplest of tasks. Unlike parrots, hawks, pigeons, or even parakeets, who all can be taught to do a variety of amazing feats, owls are what we might lovingly refer to as mindless, as in unable to learn anything or be trained.

Without even knowing the facts above, many of us have used this common description (“wise as an owl”) solely based on how the beautiful owl species look. It is all in their enormous eyes compared to the size of their much smaller head. They simply look like they are focusing and paying attention to us, so we equate that with intelligence and describe them as wise. Especially when they turn their entire head to look at someone or something! Stunning!

There are many, many details we do not know about a lot of things. Most of us can readily admit to that idea, even though there has always been a myth that we only use ten percent of our brains (numerous scientists have proven otherwise). John Henley, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, stated, "Evidence would show over a day you use 100 percent of the brain." The key to understanding this statement concerning the myth is that at any one time during the day, we may only use ten percent of our brain on a particular task or project.

Referring back to the “wise owl” comparison, nothing is more annoying than a person who constantly tries to point out their knowledge on every single subject thereby making themselves appear “intelligent.” There is rarely any topic, story, or person they do not know something about. We’ve seen this at dinner parties, networking groups, and even on dates. It seems they lack perhaps not intelligence, but a sense of humility in all things. They appear to have lost the ability to judge their importance.

We likely experienced this type of narcissistic personality in our last relationship. Nothing we did or said made any difference to that person at all. Our values and opinions were unimportant and we were made to feel small and mindless (remember the owl: unable to learn). Compared to this person whom we believed we loved and he loved us, we were reduced to a lower version of ourselves. But remember this important Bible verse when you think of that person you can not seem to get over or let go of: “Love is not jealous, or boastful, or proud, or rude.” (1 Corinthians 13:4b-5a NLT). But instead, true love “is patient and kind. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance," (1 Corinthians 4-7 NLT). With these opposite descriptions as a guide, ask, was it true love in the first place? We are smart enough to know which is which. No wonder we were unhappy.

The main subjects here are the antics and nonsense that go on with someone who is trying to convince others of how much they know. Of making sure we understand that they are right and there is no discussion of the matter. They get the last word above all. Those of us who have been through such a psychological relationship, know we have now had to make the hard choices.

The truth is that cleverness is considered one of the most attractive traits in the world. We can be drawn to it in others like a magnet. We see it in the news, in sitcoms, and in the movies all the time. It makes for superb ratings. Displayed correctly, cleverness is a gift of intelligence and brilliance without becoming selfish, smug, and self-absorbed. But it is often misused and misunderstood. In the hands of one who is wrapped up only in her/himself, it can do much damage to others without ever becoming aware of their destruction in the end. Used as it is meant, cleverness can afford us the means to create a brand-new life for ourselves and our children. We were given 100 percent of our brains to use--let’s do it!

Tip of the Day

The only One who truly knows our value is God Himself, our Creator. He is the One who knows us inside and out and loves us beyond all imagination, more fully than anyone on earth ever will. Be assured God was right there holding us up with his right hand when we were being put down, cheated on, and tossed out. He got us to safety where we are now--standing on our own two feet.

Know that we are not unteachable owls. . we are God’s W.O.R.D.: Women of Renewed Devotion!

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness” (1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT).