I’m reading a biography of Frieda Fromm-Reichmann (To redeem one person is to redeem the world, by Gail Hornstein) and I’m amazed at how Frieda’s education unfolded in such a dynamic and organic fashion. Adapting to wars, anti-Semitism, sexism–it didn’t seem to matter what was going on, Frieda pressed on and got the most out of every opportunity. As with many people who become great at something, Frieda had undeniable talent, but it was through an extraordinary work ethic that she was able to make the most of her potential.
Bill over at Integral Options Café wrote about his own education and how it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I feel the same way about my own formal education. Beyond the fourth grade, school amounted to little more than an ongoing process of having to adapt to artificial social situations that existed nowhere outside of school. In short, it was a waste of time, and later on, when it became a matter of “higher education,” there was a good deal of money wasted as well. With a decent internet connection and a library card, I could learn more in six months than I did in four years of college.
What’s done is done, though, and there’s no reason I can’t continue to self-direct my education for the remainder of my life. It’s the work ethic I seem to lack. I like sleep too much, and purposeless playing-around time. This morning I woke up early (relatively) and worked out before I even knew what planet I was on. There are a million things I want to do, songs I want to record, languages to learn, books to write, states of consciousness to explore. There’s just not enough time it seems, and I don’t even have kids. How can anyone work full-time AND have kids AND have a bit of time or energy left to do anything else?
I wonder again and again: Do I have what it takes to be great?