“I’m so glad I learned about parallelograms in high school math instead of how to do my taxes. It comes in so handy during parallelogram season.”
When I came across this gem of a quote recently, I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course, I had to share it with my wife, who, as a math teacher, found it amusing in that ironic, satirical way only a true math lover could appreciate. But beyond the humor, it struck me as telling in many ways.
We send our kids to school for a well-rounded education—language, math, science, history, physical education, art, and music. They develop reading and writing skills, learn to solve problems, and some even pursue degrees or certificates in specialized fields. But, if we're being honest, much of what we truly need to thrive in life is learned outside of a classroom. It comes from living—by doing, failing, and figuring things out as we go.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not here to dismiss the value of a solid education. School builds foundational skills and discipline. However, the irony of the parallelogram joke hit home because it highlights a truth we all come to realize sooner or later: while school equips us with knowledge, the lessons that matter most are often learned through life itself.
Learning is a multifaceted process. It’s shaped by perception, attitude, curiosity, and, sometimes, necessity. In high school, I actually enjoyed geometry. Parallelograms, right angles, all of it clicked. But, when it came to literature or writing? No thanks. Yet here I am today, a professional advisor, spending most of my time reading, writing, and communicating—skills I once avoided like the plague. Life has a funny way of reshuffling your priorities.
The takeaway is simple: we gain knowledge from school, but we learn life through experience. Every skill, even the ones that seem irrelevant now, might one day connect to something bigger. Parallelograms and taxes may not share a direct link, but they’re both pieces of the larger puzzle that is critical thinking and problem-solving.
I may not remember much about parallelograms these days, but I’ve learned a thing or two about taxes—mostly through the trial-and-error process that adulthood so generously offers. And honestly, there’s something rewarding about that kind of learning. The kind that happens when life throws you in the deep end and you figure it out because you have to.
So, the next time you’re learning something that feels irrelevant, just remember—it could turn out to be a vital piece of your skill set later on. Who knows? Maybe the logic behind geometry is the same logic we’ll need to tackle taxes or navigate the next big challenge in life.
In the end, it all fits together, even if we don’t see it right away. And while my wife, the math teacher, might not find the quote quite as funny as I did, it’s a good reminder of the surprising ways life and learning intersect.
Mark J Modzeleski, CFS, CLTC, AIF
President, Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY