In a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) driven society and coming from a family of engineers, “be bad at math” won’t go over well on the surface. My preference is STEAM – adding art to the mix to add nuance, creativity, fluidity. Right and left brain. Heart, mind, spirit.
But the post isn’t a debate about science or art. They coexist and are not in competition. Both are important and complete the picture. Rather it’s about being bad at math in relationships. Stop counting, comparing, keeping score, weighing, predicting, assuming, calculating, estimating.
Love, kindness, generosity, listening, reaching out, hospitality, holding a hand, not giving advice, showing up, forgiveness, walking along side no matter what, being present fully (without a phone in your face). None of these can be punched out on a calculator or will be replaced by AI. And they all become more important as we stray further and further from each other opting for the next cool technology that will transform our life. Love transforms. The quality of our relationships is the quality of our life.
So go out and be bad at math and love well, without conditions. I learned this from my Mom and Dad. Happy Father’s Day Dad. I miss you and Mom every single day. Thanks for the lessons planted and woven through that remain with me to this very day. Especially the one about being bad at math in life. Cast light!