Stimulation

psychologytoday.com

I absolutely LOVE being stimulated intellectually! A battle of wit and mind - I forgot what it was like. Jeff is quick on his feet. He is well-read and damned smart. Plus he is a guy friend who can offer the opposite sex's opinions as well.

I have gotten into a rut I think by teaching college students how to write. Actually, what I try to teach them is how to write about what they think. The only problem is that not many people have asked them what they think. Students often write what they think I want to hear. It is frustrating to me because no matter how much I get them fired up, they always want to know my opinion. I would share it, but then I would also get 80% of the students writing about my passions instead of theirs.

So how great is it when you meet someone who makes you get all excited about a great discussion? When I was in grad school, I had so many exceptional debates and in-depth dialogues about politics, literature, police brutality and free textbooks for all students. What I mean is that there are a plethora of possible topics to dissect, yet I have no one to really sit and converse with. Until now.

I am so charged to have found another human being with a brain who is not afraid to voice his opinions. You may not think this type of exchange is important, but knowing there is someone to whom I can relate, someone I can divulge my craziest notions, is liberating.

My friend Mindy, who I adore, called me this week to say that she missed being around academics and intellectuals. It sounds pretentious, I know, but I understand what she is saying. She works at Cracker Barrel where they are constantly telling her how to do some mundane task, a task she says a 3 year old could complete. She reminds them of her degrees and her talents, but because she is stuck in that job (for like 5 years now) they feel they can run her into the ground. They have no idea who they are dealing with. She is going to eat them for lunch. Just because she needs that stimulation.

It comes down to needs. What does each person need to feel complete or satisfied? There is something different for everyone. Some people need emotional attachments. Others need financial security. Still others look for praise or success in their jobs. All of these needs are valid to each of these people. For me, I need cerebral stimulation.