Courage vs Stupidity

Wisdom is being able to spot the difference

I nearly fell off my seat when this crossed my FB home feed this morning. That’s been my life this year.

Courage vs Stupidity

I once was in a funny discussion where the person on the other side of the verbal bridge between our minds pointed out that laughing and crying can look similar, and we make the same face when we’re in pain as we do when we’re orgasming.

Wisdom is being able to distinguish whether what we’re moving on, or what others are moving on, is a display of courage or stupidity because they can outwardly look the same but, inwardly, they’re very different.

Courage is doing something even if it’s going to hurt you momentarily, to make your and everyone else’s experience with you more authentic.

“I need to be who I actually am.”

Stupidity is doing something you want to do with no thought or concern for how your actions will impact anyone but yourself.

“I want what I want.”

Both present themselves as ‘big moves’ in people’s lives:
One is thoughtful, “I need to make this change, but I know it’s going to cost me.”
The other is thoughtless, “I want to do this thing and I don’t care what it costs me.”

That brings to mind a discussion I had with the host of the political podcast I participated in several years ago. He posited that we consider the difference between want and need. The two can get fuzzied and be strongly linked. While the context of the discussion was really distinguishing what keeps you alive: food, clothing, shelter, and such, there can be an aspect of need/want that is cognitive/emotional, ‘psychological’.

Non-monogamy?

Courage: Monogamy has been really hard for me. I think non-monogamy may be an option I need to consider, but that’s a big change and I’m going to face some adversity in making it.

Stupidity: That seems fun!

Moving through your non-monogamous experience?

Courage: I need connection with other people. What kind of connection? How do I go about seeking it in a way that is good…