I remember when people used to think I was smart. I remember when people used to think my brain was useful. Damaged by water, sure. And ready to seizure at any moment. But still useful, and maybe even a little bit beautiful and sacred and magical.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the perception of intelligence and the inherent value of one's mind despite its flaws.
In this quote, Sherman Alexie reminisces about how others once viewed him as intelligent and capable. He acknowledges that while his mind may have been damaged and unpredictable, it still holds intrinsic value and beauty. This perspective encourages appreciation of individuality and the complexities that make each person's mind unique, suggesting that even perceived imperfections can contribute to a deeper sense of worth and magic in one's intellect.
In practice
During a discussion on mental health at a conference, this quote could help emphasize the importance of recognizing the worth of individuals despite their challenges.
Gordie, the white boy genius, gave me this book by a Russian dude named Tolstoy, who wrote, 'Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Well, I hate to argue with a Russian genius, but Tolstoy didn't know Indians, and he didn't know that all Indian families are unhappy for the same exact reasons: the frikkin' booze.
My wife was the first romantic partner who understood both American and native parts of me - not so much the positive stuff, but the damage.
I draw because words are too unpredictable. I draw because words are too limited. If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture everybody can understand it. If I draw a cartoon of a flower, then every man, woman, and child in the world can look at it and say, "That's a flower.
We all have to find our own ways to say good-bye.
I write books for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. I don't write to protect them. It's far too late for that. I write to give them weapons-in the form of words and ideas-that will help them fight their monsters. I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed.
A lot of people have no idea that right now Y.A. (young adult). is the Garden of Eden of literature.
No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.
One should follow a man of wisdom who rebukes one for one's faults, as one would follow a guide to some buried treasure. To one who follows such a wise man, it will be an advantage and not a disadvantage.
There is nothing so wrong as accepting a thing merely because men who have done things say it should be so.
Doing what has never been done before is intellectually seductive, whether or not we deem it practical.
The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without.
If you cry 'forward', you must without fail make plain in what direction to go.
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