By Margaret Futerer

When we think of intelligence it stands to reason that the first thing that comes to mind is I.Q. or Intelligence Quotient. I.Q. testing has been the standard for measuring and individual’s intelligence for nearly a century with modifications made over the years as more understanding of physical intelligence became recognized. The ability to measure a child’s intelligence helps the educational system guide the child through the most healthy and productive means of education for that child.

However, it is coming to light that there are other forms of intelligence that cannot be measured but play just as significant role in the personal development and success of a human life. These other forms of intelligence work hand in hand with each other and when recognized and nurtured can help a child grow into a healthy and productive member of society. Unfortunately some traits are often not recognized and are instead labeled as a dysfunction because they do not fit into the box of what is considered “normal”.

Recently the concept of Emotional Intelligence or E.Q. has been recognized by psychologists and educational professionals as a way of explaining how some people are born with the ability to have more awareness of and control over their emotions. Emotionally Intelligent individuals have a greater propensity to develop cooperative relationships with others and personal esteem within themselves. Children born with a high E.Q. are seen as natural born leaders and communicators. This innate ability to understand how emotions work can be further enhanced and developed by caregivers and education professionals.
 
Other natural intelligences to take into consideration are Creative Intelligence and Athletic Intelligence. These “gifts” or natural propensities that children are born with are often seen as hereditary and with guidance can be cultivated into tremendous skill. Ask any parent and they will tell you that almost from the day their child was born they could see their child’s personality and the type of activities that their child naturally gravitated to. Some children are able to express themselves through art or sports from very early childhood. Others take longer to find their “gifts” or “intelligences” to be recognized as they are often a complex web of discoveries.

Spiritual Intelligence has been overlooked by science and is little understood by most of humanity. Although the highest spiritual geniuses have been the greatest guides and teachers in recorded human history the idea of a Spiritual Intelligence Quotient is still an emerging concept. But S.Q. is just as real to those with a high measure as any other “intelligence” for a gifted person. Just as those with a high educational I.Q. have the innate ability to understand educational concepts and those with a high athletic I.Q. have the ability to catch and kick a ball with extreme prowess, those with a high Spiritual I.Q. have the ability to feel a deeper awareness of the energies that move around and through them. Some even have the ability to hear and see those energies through what is termed as a sixth sense. 

Children born with a high S.Q. are often misunderstood and labeled dysfunctional, abnormal or special. They are often hyper sensitive to their environment and the energy of others, some to such an extreme that they begin to “check out” when they are frustrated or over stimulated. Their sensitivity to others emotions, and energies can affect them deeply resulting in poor self-esteem. They may spend hours each day dreaming or introspecting. While other children are playing carefree the high S.Q. child may be pondering the purpose of life and his or her existence. Because these “gifted’ children operate on a different realm that cannot be measured by physical standards they are not seen within the normal parameters of society. Many of these misunderstood children begin to drift further from “normal” society as their questions cannot be answered by exasperated teachers and parents. Rather than being seen as “gifted” these children are forced to fit into a box they simply cannot fit into. And because their innate desires to understand the metaphysical workings of the universe are seen as odd and not socially acceptable they begin to conform to the standards set by society. But in the conforming they lose sight of themselves. 

For those fortunate children whose gifts are recognized and nurtured the world is a beautiful and mysterious place where their unique perspectives become bold ideas, incredible stories and an ability to make a difference in humanity. Unfortunately many high S.Q. individuals who are not understood eventually turn to extreme measures in an effort to find themselves. They become runaways. They turn to drugs, alcohol, food, sex and even crime, anything that might help heal the pain inside and fill the void. When many of these individuals are introduced to spirituality as adults it is as though a light has been turned on within them and the gifts they were born with begin to manifest. 

With the awareness of the gift of spiritual acuity comes a desire to share what they have learned in their life experiences and the gifts that have been uncovered. These highly conscious individuals become teachers and guides inspired to make a difference in the world. Whether they dropped out of high school or have a P.H.D., it is their S.Q. that has been driving them to persevere, to understand themselves, humanity and the purpose of it all. It is their S.Q. that gives them the ability to live in the peaceful awareness that we are all one humanity and there is simply spirit.

About the Author
Margaret Futerer lives in a small polygamist commune in the mountains of Montana. She knew from the time she was very young that was not the life she wanted. After enduring emotional, physical and sexual abuses she escaped when she was only seventeen. She is a successful entrepeneur, author and inspirational speaker. Through her keynote speeches, workshops and writings Margaret inspires others to discover their own magnifience. She created “Magnificent Women”, an organization committed to empowering other women. Visit http://www.margaretfuterer.com for details.

Article Source: How is Your SQ?


No related posts.