Carla Green, an amazing kindergarten teacher I was blessed to work with, always said "Kiss your brain" to her students when they said or did something great. She died suddenly about 5 years ago, but I've never forgotten her. I write today's piece in memory of her.
Carla was a very particular teacher. I was an "art on a cart" teacher and would have to come into her classroom to teach her students. She was very outspoken and told me from the very beginning that I as long as I kept her room from getting too messy, she and I would be fine. I loved that about her. She put a standard out for me and I strove to achieve it each and every time I was in her room. After she realized I was harmless to her neat and orderly room, she was the most giving and kind person. She'd stay in the room sometimes just to learn more about art from me. She'd even pitch in sometimes to help with the lesson and with the kids.
Carla was just as outspoken towards the kids as she was to me. She wasn't a scary kind of outspoken; she just really knew how to say things. I watched her turn some of the toughest and most unorganized kids into children that were orderly, sweet and caring. They cared for each other, they cared for her classroom and they cared for her. You could feel the amazing energy and love every time you stepped into the room.
From Carla, I learned that everyone was capable and smart, but some needed a little kind nudge to realize it. She had students that would cry when they couldn't "get it" and she would say "Now, baby, don't you worry. You've got this. You can do it." When they finally did, she would say "I told you you could do it. Kiss your brain!" The child would kiss their hand and then touch their head, thus "kissing" their brain.
This "kissing your brain" is a concept we can all learn from Carla. There are times when humans don't think that they are smart enough or are made to feel like they aren't smart. I am here to tell you it's time to start kissing your brain more. You are smart no matter what you are studying or what you are doing career-wise.
Our society seems to think that the only "smart people" in the world are those that have careers such as being a doctor or lawyer. You hear people say things like "oh, he's smart/she's smart because they are a doctor." I know doctors tend to be intelligent (all that school they have gone through!) but I am here to tell you this (if you didn't already know): They aren't the smartest people in the world.
It is true, doctors are smart, but they are smart being a doctor. They are not always so smart at every other topic in the world. Try to have a conversation with a doctor about something you know a lot about (regarding something other than health) and see if they know as much as you. Many times you will find that they don't. Every doctor I've known personally have spent most of their free time reading medical journals and researching all things health. Don't get me wrong, as that's the kind of doctor you want (someone that eats, breathes and lives medical information!) but again, it makes them smart at being a doctor, but not at being "all-knowing".
There are plenty of smart humans in the world that aren't lawyers or doctors. I've met numerous plumbers, electricians, administrative assistants, firefighters, mechanics, stylists, contractors/construction workers, sanitation workers, make-up artists, painters, massage therapists and more that are super intelligent. They have beautiful lives with beautiful families in which they support by using their talents. That makes me happy.
In my eyes, all humans are worthy and smart, no matter their trade. We need plumbers. We need electricians. We need sanitation workers. Did you know they all have to go to school or training in some form? My husband had friends that became plumbers, and it was not easy! Granted, maybe their training isn't as long as medical school, but it's still training. Often times, they have to continue to get training throughout their career (and pay for it themselves). College is great (I attended and my husband did too) but there are other educational options out there and I know today's world needs to open it's eyes to see that. I know Mike Rowe would agree with me (and my husband) on that fact.
No matter what you do for your career (or are thinking about doing), you can do it and you are smart. The world needs you to use your brain and your talents. Let me be the Carla Green to you and nudge you a little to help you understand that. When you finally use your brain and talents in the way they were meant to be used, kiss your brain because it is helping you and many others.
Extra:
Love re-wiring something? Think fixing a leaking pipe sounds like fun times? Go to trade school. Here is a website that can get you started.
Art (detail) by Carolyn J. Braden using Gelly Roll pens, Sharpie marker and BIC pencil.