Other People's Strengths Are NOT Our Weaknesses

I am not sure when I started saying this phrase, but I will always remember the moment my kids started using it with others. We've all had a time or two when we're telling one child how much we love the art project they've been diligently working on, or thanking them for cleaning their room, or complimenting any aspect of their daily lives, and every other child in the general vicinity chimes in with, "what about my art project? You didn't like MINE?" In an effort to curb what could be a long life of comparing themselves to others, I started saying "other people's strengths are not our weaknesses." In other words, just because someone else is great at something, doesn't make us bad, or even any less great at it. More importantly, I want them to be ok with being "bad" at some things.

After all, life is not about BEING the best at everything, but TRYING our best at everything. Having the self-awareness to understand our limitations, and the confidence to continue to try after we fail, is the ultimate goal. Being able to offer assistance to others and also seek help when needed, creates valuable members of the community. A community built on trust, compassion, and collaborative knowledge can turn losses into wins and failures into teachable moments.

All of these tiny wins and losses, make us who we are and by embracing their own uniqueness, they can not only accept the things that make others different, but celebrate them. In recognizing other's strengths, without the jealousy mixed in, they can collaborate instead of compete, ultimately improving everyone's overall success. This is not to say that I disagree with a little competition, but in this digital age, competition has become a constant game of comparing ourselves to others. And let's face it, no one wins that game.

Working to fit into someone else's mold or pretending to be someone we aren't

is exhausting. It is my hope that all children (and adults) can celebrate their unique qualities and use their individual strengths to make a meaningful contribution to the world. Whether it's through creative expression, intellectual pursuits, or acts of kindness, each of us has something valuable to offer. By recognizing that other people's strengths are not our weaknesses, we can celebrate diversity, cultivate self-awareness, approach life with curiosity, and dare to be ourselves—because the world needs each of us to shine in our own way.