The Surprisingly Genius Life-Skill No One Talks About
You probably chuckled when you saw that post by Cjay (@Cee_jayking) saying, "Teach them to pick beans." Funny? Yes. But let’s not be too quick to laugh it off, because buried in that humor is a goldmine of truth.
In many African homes, “picking beans” was a childhood chore that was treated with zero ceremony but full expectation. You were handed a bowl of beans and told to sort through it, separating the good seeds from the bad, often while seated on a stool in the kitchen or during story time with grandma.
But let’s break this down, because in hindsight, we were actually undergoing early training in micro-skills that build macro-excellence:
1. Attention to Detail
That tiny black dot on a bean? Unacceptable. The cracked one? Nope. You learned to see beyond the surface. This wasn’t just picking beans—it was pattern recognition at its finest. Employers spend thousands teaching attention to detail. We learned it with legumes and love.
2. High Numerical Proficiency
“Count 500 beans.” Yes, that’s a thing. We didn’t just eyeball the bowl—we were sometimes tasked with measuring cups, counting seeds, or weighing portions. You develop a sense of numbers, proportions, and estimation. Who needs an abacus when you have beans?
3. Excellent Hand Coordination
Ever tried separating stones from beans without a sieve? It’s a test of dexterity. Your fingers learned to glide and grab, to feel and sort. Coordination like this shows up later in life in typing, driving, surgery, and even sports.
4. Analytical Skills
“Why is this one bad?” “Can I still cook this batch?” You start analyzing quality, making judgment calls, and developing logic. That little kitchen task turned you into a mini data analyst without Excel.
The Bigger Picture
Funny how life’s simplest tasks end up teaching the biggest lessons. Picking beans was never just about preparing dinner; it was about preparing us.
So the next time you hand your child a bowl of beans to sort, just know: you’re not punishing them, you’re prepping them for the job market. Who knew legumes could be LinkedIn-worthy?
Finally: Maybe it's time to update our resumes…
Skills:
Bean Sorting Prodigy
Detail Ninja
Hand-Eye Coordination Expert
Lowkey Math Genius
Life-ready
And that, dear reader, is why our own kids must pick beans.
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