Glitches and features

Yesterday, I discovered that what I previously thought was a minor glitch in my word processor was actually a unique feature.

It got me thinking about weaknesses and strengths.

Many times the former are often a byproduct of the latter, and vice versa.

For example, I’m an extreme introvert that enjoys listening and observing and “quiet time” significantly more than being the center of attention. That often makes people percieve me as a “quiet person,” which means I’ll likely never win a popularity contest no matter how many times I try.

Does that make me seem a little odd? Sometimes. Does it make me a better writer, thinker, or educator? I’d like to think so. Would I rather be someone else? Not likely.

Indeed. Learning how to weave together a life that compensates for our weaknesses and exploits our greatest strengths is in part what makes our individual lives so rich and unique. It’s a constant challenge, but one that can be incredibly gratifying.

After all, you can’t have strengths without weaknesses. What makes it a feature and not a glitch is how you see it.