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| I recently saw a piano performance of a left-hand only concerto by Ravel at Abravanel Hall. I was amazed at the pianists and composers ability to play/compose such an amazing piece of music only using one hand on the piano. |
I thought about how the world is so blessed with people with many amazing and different talents and intelligences! What I like to remember is that we do not have all the same kinds of intelligence and that is okay because it makes the world more vibrant and interesting.
In fact, there are exactly 7 kinds of intelligence, according to Howard Gardner the Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In his book (1983), Frames of Mind: the theory of multiple intelligences, Hobbs outlines the 7 kinds of intelligences:
1. Linguistic intelligence involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. 
2. Logical-Mathematical intelligence involves the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically.
3. Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence involves the use of one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements.
6. Interpersonal intelligence involves the ability to understand intentions, motivations, and desires of other people.
7. Intrapersonal intelligence involves the ability to understand ourselves, appreciate our own feelings, fears, and motivations.
You can have more than one "multiple intelligence." Each of the intelligences are useful in communication. You can also cultivate other kinds of intelligences that can make you more well-rounded.
Dr. Martin Luther King jr. is an example of a person with incredible "linguistic" intelligence. There is a wonderful picture book which illustrates his ability. The book is called, "Martin's Big Words." This book is a Caldecott Honor Winner, Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner and a winner of The New York Times Book Review, "Best Illustrated Children's Book" award. It is a wonderful book that shows the power of words and Dr. King's linguistic intelligence which made such a positive change in the world. As a child he said about his father's sermon, "When I grow up, I'm going to get big words, too." He certainly did!
