Jack Of All Trades
I saw this quote hanging on the wall.
It’s by science fiction writer, Robert Anson Heinlein.
“A human being should be able to:
Change a diaper
Plan an invasion
Butcher a hog
Conn [control] a ship
Design a building
Write a sonnet
Balance account
Build a wall
Set a bone
Comfort the dying
Take orders
Give orders
Cooperate
Act alone
Solve equations
Analyze a new problem
Pitch manure
Program a computer
Cook a tasty meal
Fight efficiently
Die Gallantly
Specialization is for insects.”
It’s sort of fascinating all the things that are expected of people to be able to do.
And this is a short list — I’m sure you can think of many, many more things that people have to be able to do to survive, to live, to thrive.
What complex and magnificent creations of G-d we are!
Not only in terms of our physiology, but also in terms of our cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual capacities and desires.
We are flesh and blood, but with a breath of life from the living G-d, and we are capable and can do so much.
At the same time, we are imperfect, limited, fallible, and mortal.
- Jack of all trades, and master of none.
Expect the best, but plan for plenty of mistakes and disasters along the way.
Live well, and return to the creator a better person. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)