Non Linear Thinking

This guy is my hero:

Albert Einstein

Here are a few quotes from him, one of the reasons I like him so much:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”

“Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.”

Yes, Albert Einstein, world famous mathematician, had trouble with math. Elementary school math – the linear kind where 1+1=2. In fact, he wouldn’t have passed elementary school math without the help of his mother and sister.

The kind of math that Albert Einstein excelled in was higher math, the kind that goes into theory and speaks its own language, the kind that takes dreamers to imagine its existence.

Linear thinkers (mostly non ADD people) are said to excel at logical, orderly things like math and science.

Non-linear thinkers (most of us ADDers, among others) think in an entirely different manner. We make connections between seemingly unrelated things, jump from here to there, and are often more at home with things like art and music.

As parents, it is our job to open doors, not shut them.

Imagine if Albert Einstein’s mother had told him he was no good at math. Where would we be today? What would have become of poor Albert?

I remember once when Sarah was small, she told me she was going to do a cartwheel for me. My mom, who was sitting next to me, asked if she knew how.

I told my mom I had no idea, but if she thought I believed that she couldn’t, she would be defeated before she began.

Of course, no one is good at everything. But try resisting labels. Try to start looking at things in different terms, like linear and non linear. Try making non linear connections from linear ideas.

And remember what Albert said:

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”