Smart dumb is an oxymoron, like military intelligence, the two words don’t seem to go together. Oxusmoros is Greek for see that guy on the Ox? He’s a moron. Actually, it is New Latin from Greek oxumōron, from oxus sharp + mōros stupid. So the proper use is: See that SHARP dressed guy on the Ox? He’s STUPID. Either way it doesn’t make sense why that guys needs to get off the Ox.
The good news, depending on how you look at it, there are more Dumb Dumb people in the world. I know, it doesn’t make sense: How can more dumb dumbs be good? The short answer, it’s a matter of expectation.
I am a therapist who is intrigued by human behavior, but not so much with the human. The reason for this is due to my misplaced expectations and not necessarily the human. I discovered this in therapy … A third of my caseload is dumb dumbs, a third is smart dumb, and another third are SOMETHING else. If you read my book; you are familiar with the Rule of Three. If not, don’t read it, because then you will go from dumb dumb to smart dumb and then be accountable for your actions. See where I’m going?
In 1978, Randy Newman told us, in song, that “short people got no reason.” But I say, Smart Dumb people got no reason. If you’re an oxymoron (stupid guy riding an Ox) and fall off, no biggie, no one expected you to ride it. But if you are educated in the art of Ox riding and fall off, people are going to take notice, they expect more.
I am a Christian and Therapist, ergo, I am a Christian Therapist. Come to think of it, I am a husband and father, ergo, I am a Christian therapist, husband and father. In fact, go ahead and put Christian in front of everything I am, because I want to be held accountable. I want everything I belief reflected in everything I do and if it’s not, I want people to take notice.
A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.
Luke 6:43
I am an old tree and thanks to (click another cool post) persistence and the law of average, I produce good fruit. I had several bad seasons in my time, but nothing a little strategic weed killer and pruning didn’t cure. I tell you this because occasionally someone requests a Christian therapist. This can be good or bad. depending on how you look at it. If you are looking to grow and you don’t mind the possibly of being called a moron; I’m your guy. If, on the other hand, you are not prepared to be challenged; I’m not your guy. See, if you tell me you know better (click on a cool video BTC) but can’t stop doing the wrong thing, stand-by. In either case, there is a good chance of being called a moron. Yeah, I can’t believe I been in private practice for thirteen years either.
A dumb dumb person grows and matures into a good tree. At that point, they produce fruit because they are mature. That’s mature, as in, cultured, cultivated, complete. A smart dumb person grows in knowledge but doesn’t mature by putting that knowledge to action. Maybe they produce bad fruit, but in my experience, they usually produce no fruit. There is another oxymoron: a fruit tree that doesn’t produce fruit.
Expectations of something or someone is directly tied to knowledge. What I mean by this is your expectation depends on your education, judgement, experience, familiarity with that something or someone. That means if that apple tree doesn’t produce when other trees do; I am disappointed. If it produces oranges; I’m surprised. If it gives rotten apples; I’m mad.
Next time you are disappointed, surprised or angry at something or someone, I recommend taking a good look at your knowledge of that someone or something.
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Reluctant Therapist