Did you know this week is the 132nd anniversary of Albert Einstein’s birthday?
One of my favorite Einstein quotes:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
If you’ve been feeling like that fish trying to climb a tree lately, you might like a post I wrote a while back about breaking out of that mold.
This week, take time to recognize the genius in YOU and those around you. You might not have an off the charts IQ like Einstein, write like Hemmingway, or be able to shoot a basketball like Michael Jordan, but there’s something special in you and it’s worth celebrating!
Do you have a favorite Einstein quote or quote on genius? Being a quote junkie, I’d love if you’d share it in the comments. :)
Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albert_Einstein_Head_Cleaned_N_Cropped.jpg
Gonzalo J. Suárez says
One of my favorite Einstein quotes: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Saludos!!
Gonzalo
Michelle Shaeffer says
That’s a good one, Gonzalo — so simple, yet we so often do that!
Roy A. Ackerman, PhD, EA says
His quotes are among one of my signatures. Thanks for reminding me of his birthday..
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
When his wife asked him to change clothes to meet the German Ambassador, he said “If they want to see me, here I am. If they want to see my clothes, open my closet and show them my suits.”
Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts
We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them
Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school
Imagination is more important than knowledge. [Sign hanging in Einstein’s office at Princeton]
Michelle Shaeffer says
Such wisdom. The imagination one I remind myself of often with my kids. I hadn’t heard this one before, but it’s great:
When his wife asked him to change clothes to meet the German Ambassador, he said “If they want to see me, here I am. If they want to see my clothes, open my closet and show them my suits.”
Thanks for sharing those, Roy.
Lisbeth Tanz says
I don’t have a favorite quote of his, but am loving reading the others! You’re so right, Michelle. We often look beyond our own genius because we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others. A nice reminder to look within. Thanks!
Michelle Shaeffer says
You’re welcome. And you’re right — we spend too much time comparing ourselves to others and when we do that we forget or minimize the talents we have.
Laurie Hurley says
One of my favorite quotes is: “Know what you’re doing. Love what you’re doing. Believe in what you’re doing.” Steve Musseau
To me, that is genius!
Michelle Shaeffer says
Smart!
Ryan Biddulph says
Hi Michelle,
Awesome quote and inspiration here. Some forget how spiritual Einstein was, looking at his accomplishments. He knew where his power came from.
As for the quote….”You are born a genius and remain a genius until you acquire the idea that you aren’t a genius.”
Some guy named RB wrote it ;)
Thanks for sharing and have a powerful day!
RB
Michelle Shaeffer says
Ryan, I think Einstein would have loved that quote. :)
Samantha says
No quotes here….:( My best friend is the quote compiler!!! LOL
But I do love to read or listen when one is presented to me!!!
They always seem to be what I need to hear at the moment!!! THANKS!!
Michelle Shaeffer says
Quotes can sometimes be just the boost we need.
Steve Nicholas says
Great post, Michelle! Have you ever seen the movie “Young Einstein”? I can’t remember the exact quotes by the actual Albert Einstein, but I remember that at the end of the movie, they show the quote where he says something along the lines of, “I never would have imagined people would take my ideas so many more seriously than I did.”
Michelle Shaeffer says
I haven’t yet, but I’ll look for it. Thanks, Steve.
Diana says
Hi Michelle,
Wonderful reminder that we are all genuises in what we do. Most of the time we are beating ourselves up over what we did and not recognizing our talents and gifts. I love all the quotes that have been shared here. The list that Roy provided were great. What’s my quote – “It’s ok not to be a perfectionist. If I were, I wouldn’t have the chance to learn anything”
Michelle Shaeffer says
It’s easy to overlook our own gifts and knowledge — sometimes acquired through a whole lot of those “learning” experiences.
Amy says
No favorite quote but I love the one you put in your post!
Michelle Shaeffer says
Thanks, Amy!