"The mind that can find little excitement in life is a dying one; the mind that can not find something in the world that attracts it is dead, and the body housing it might as well be dead, for what are the uses of the five senses to a mind that takes no pleasure in them?" Love — In Other Words by Harper Lee Vogue April 15 1961, pp64-65
the quote.
it scared me big time. if there’s one thing that i value most, it’s the ‘mind’ or its close association, –’intelligence’–. i’m conceited in this regard. i’m a UPian. I didn’t leave the esteemed institution of UP with flying colors, though. no flat ones, awards, academic recognition whatsoever. nevertheless, i attach ‘intelligence’ to my name without qualms. "i was born and raised, as were my other siblings, intelligent". no amount of words, contrary arguments or statistics showing that my achievement is wanting compared to others will make me think otherwise. i’m intelligent. period. though i think this, i tend to believe that I don’t carry such air. a simpleton?– more likely. in any case, the quote made me recall the words of my Math and Calculus teacher in high school. if you want to remain smart and with better hold of your brain, then it’s paramount that you engage in activities that will stimulate your mind. never stop learning. continue to challenge your mind. give those little brain cells a nudge and a stretch. inactivity eventually leads to deterioration she said. recalling these words, my brain continues to remain in a standstill. doing nothing. thinking nothing. finding no excitement. is my mind a dying one? is it dead? is there a basis to this fear?
