Embraced by Diversity.

We are often encouraged to embrace diversity. This weekend, I experienced — in a unique way — what it means to be embraced by diversity.

I was at a company offsite, and a colleague had all of us write short notes of appreciation for each other. Some of the notes described qualities for which we appreciate each other, and other notes described the impact of our actions for which our colleagues are grateful.

On the last day, when we each received our envelopes of notes, many (if not all) of us were moved by what we read.

But it was only a whole day later, that I realise — of all the notes I received, hardly two notes were about the exact same thing.

And that’s when it dawned on me, that every single person — each different and unique to me — have seen me, or experienced me, in a different and unique manner… altogether contributing to a more complete picture of me.

Had we all been comfortably alike, similar in personality, it’s possible that we may not feel confounded sometimes — by our differences at work.

But as a result, we will likely not experience being accepted, appreciated, embraced in such a rich manner.