“By nature we have no defect that could not become a strength, no strength that could not become a defect.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

I have a very sharp wit, and a very gifted tongue. I can think on my feet quickly, and I almost always have a response in my head that can be brought out at a moment’s notice. Many times that sharp wit and gifted tongue work in my favor. I can defuse difficult situations, bring order to chaos, and even build bridges between people who are at odds. Sadly, there are other times when that sharp tongue gets me into trouble, when my quick wit becomes acidic and increases the divide between myself and others.

I have been known to talk my way out of a traffic ticket, and also to talk myself into trouble with a co-worker, boss, family member or friend. That same sharpness can both be a blessing and a curse in my life.

I am a work in progress, and I will be as long as I am alive. I am always progressing and growing, regressing and shrinking. Some days I have great confidence and build on my strengths to reach new heights, other days I fall back into myself and sit on the edge of past plateaus. Some days I am growing my defects into strengths, and others my strengths into defects. It isn’t that I choose the latter, but in my human imperfection it sometimes occurs.

This morning I am reflecting on what parts of my life show strengths growing from defects, and which show defects emerging from strengths.