While touring a cork factory, I noticed that the highest value products were the ones that tried to look the least perfect, while the lowest value ones were the most consistent and ordinary.

The lowest value products looked like the ubiquitous cork boards we all know and love – seamless yet uninspired.

The highest value ones carefully combine imperfection and holes found within the natural texture of the bark without sacrificing any functionality.

When it comes to our differences and imperfections, we often try to hide them from the public eye. Yet it is precisely those distinctions that make us more interesting than the average.

So long as we ensure that our uniqueness doesn’t come at the expense of showing up for ourselves and others, we should celebrate them, not hide them.

ht: Cork tour with Pedro Geraldes