Comments on: Defending Your Genius

By: Laura Jo Richins

Laura Jo Richins — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:32:04 +0000

As a sibling, friend, and parent, I have to really watch how I treat others–my actions, responses, and verbal. It is never my intent to demean or make someone feel less than they are but I think that like you say, many of us are guilty of it and don’t realize. Awareness of what we are doing is a huge step in not doing it again.

As a parent, often my input is sought and other times it isn’t but either way, I often times have to bite my tongue to not say something because my kids choose to not do something the way I think it should be done. Being aware that by doing it their way may bring different results–good or bad, giving them a chance to grow and learn, is hard. But I’m honoring their genius when I do that.

Thanks, Randy, for another insightful post.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:07:59 +0000

Yet another wise observation. I agree and experience myself. Thanks Randy!

By: Mike Stenger

Mike Stenger — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:09:25 +0000

I like to call them haters. No matter what, we’ll always have people that don’t like us and are mean about it and it’s exactly because of what you’re talking about. People see something you have that’s great and they’re essentially jealous.

The more you can ignore them, the better things will be. Lots of times they’ll even fuel the fire for you to do better.

By: gene

gene — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:49:01 +0000

I do agree

By: marvin

marvin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:42:41 +0000

I know what U mean.

I experienced that attack and to defend myself is to know who I am, to know what is a real purpose in my self. I am happy with what I have. I am not happy that a lot of my closed friends and even my family does not appreciate me. After a lot of their input, I am willing to take a risk to march on my own drum…I read books about talent and geniuses, about personal development, about life of great people..and practice a lot of their wisdom in a real world.. and hope and faith installed in me.

By: VK

VK — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:56:19 +0000

I agree that it is the people who have the least self-confidence and who have lost their own genius who attack truly great people and the genius they possess.

I would just like to caution against generalization here: Not all people who have lost their genius attack the genius in others. I know so many people who — after having been attacked by other mediocre minds–have not at all attacked the greatness of others. Unfortunately, they have just retreated from the world, trying desperately to recapture their own genius.

By: Randy Gage

Randy Gage — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:16:35 +0000

Yes that is it exactly.

-RG

By: Bernice

Bernice — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:51:13 +0000

Yes, good reminder to value your own genius and to be supportive of the genius of other people.

I have had to defend my genius from attacks by friends and loved ones. I have also had to walk away from relationships were my genius was attacked. It did cause me pain to have someone I cared about attack my genius & strengths but I knew that they were my strengths and not my weakness. Even if they don’t realize they are attacking you, it can still hurt you.

Sometimes you can defend yourself, sometimes you can easily avoid a negative person and sometimes you need to make bigger changes in your life. Know your genius and remember it when it is being attacked. It is yours, don’t let negative people take it from you.

Surround yourself with positive, nourishing people.

By: Tom Schulte

Tom Schulte — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:14:41 +0000

God knows what those who strive for greatness have endured to achieve it. I for one had to shake a lot of demons...and people to defend my genius. I know you have as well Randy. I think this falls under the "for every person who seek greatness...there are hundreds more charged with defending their mediocrity". Agree?? -TS

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:45:32 +0000

I love this…it’s along the idea of looking for someone’s greatness while valuing your own.

As for someone who tries (unsuccessfully) to condemn my genius would be my ex-husband (hence the ex part). Lately I have been working on teaching my son NOT to accept the opinions of others as his own…most notable his fathers. Learning to listen and honor what lives inside you is the greatest gift you can give the world.