Both my strengths and weaknesses can mislead me if I begin to associate my identity with them.
For example, if my strength is the ability to learn quickly and I start believing that I can always pick things up at the last minute, that strength quietly begins to work against me.
Similarly, if my weakness is that I do not stand up for my rights, and I slowly start to see that as who I am, I may end up shaping myself into a weak individual.
We are all gifted with strengths and weaknesses. It is important to recognise them, but dangerous to become identified with them.
If I treat my strengths with humility and my weaknesses with courage — as areas to improve — I stand a far better chance of growing and succeeding.
Awareness is important, but it is not enough. Awareness combined with the right association is what truly makes the difference.
The same principle applies to families, organisations, and even countries. What we believe we are often becomes what we allow ourselves to become.
Sometimes the real task is simply to look a little closer, and think a little deeper.
