The origins of “genius”

genius (n.)

late 14c., “tutelary god (classical or pagan),” from Latin genius “guardian deity or spirit which watches over each person from birth; spirit, incarnation, wit, talent;” also “prophetic skill,” originally “generative power,” from root of gignere “beget, produce” (see kin), from PIE root *gen- “produce.” Sense of “characteristic disposition” is from 1580s. Meaning “person of natural intelligence or talent” and that of “natural ability” are first recorded 1640s.

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    In his book titled “Mastery” Robert Greene comes to the conclusion that the exceptional ability of someone who is a master in their craft is often characterized as genius. What we often fail to understand, however, is that this genius was attained through hard to work and dedication. It is not something that few select people are born with. The ability to perform exceptionally well in anything we do is within reach if only we know how to get there. Few of us can because we are too busy trying to find shortcuts to being successful. Instead we focus on trying to find shortcuts to success, we waste our lives looking for the easy way and few of us ever reach the level of mastery in anything. It is when we deny the urge to live passively and become active and aware of ourselves that we can truly develop our potential. It’s within every person and each of us is capable of greatness. If only we can stop looking for approval outside and look towards our inner self. Find what works for us and not what is necessarily pleasing to everybody else. Follow our own path no matter how difficult and long the journey seems. This in term is also the formula for happiness and personal satisfaction.

  When this knowledge is so blatantly obvious, why do we still fail to live up to our true potential? Afraid of change maybe? It’s time to seriously think about it and act on it. Otherwise our time will be wasted. We all know we live only one life, yet we spend day after day, lurking in the shadows and never taking risks. We spread our attention over so many things and so many worries. We want to be successful but we do not work on it actively enough. We react to all life gives us in a passive way and we ignore our gut. Me, you, everyone else we already have the answers within us. No external force can teach us what is right for us. It is ultimately entirely up to us.

~Teodor