Some time ago, I travelled to Costa Rica and had an experience that led me to reflect on the beauty of diversity.
My friend and I fell in love with Costa Rica’s national animal, the sloth. Watching them move in slow motion, munching on leaves, had a profoundly calming effect. The buzz of life faded away as we felt soothed and present. Sloths are wonderful creatures.
During our trip, we also visited an animal rescue centre and saw a jaguar. It was stunning: elegant, swift, and independent. Seeing a jaguar in the wild would sharpen your senses. They’re majestic and powerful, commanding admiration with their mystery and strength.
We found ourselves loving and admiring both the sloth and the jaguar, despite their stark differences.
This appreciation made me reflect on the beauty of individuality.
Each of us has an essence that’s unique and irreplaceable. Yet, sometimes we feel the pressure to be someone we’re not. We may feel compelled to imitate others, thinking it might make us more lovable, valued, or “enough.” But when we do this, we risk losing touch with what makes us special and whole.
Imagine a jaguar trying to imitate a sloth to earn the same admiration for its soothing nature. Or picture a sloth, heart pounding, attempting to hunt prey like a jaguar instead of enjoying its peaceful tree-hanging life. In trying to become something they’re not, both would lose their essence, and the world would miss out on their unique contributions. We love jaguars for their power and sloths for their serenity—not because they try to be like each other.
This reflection reminds me of a common human experience: the fear that we’re somehow not enough as we are.
In the context of interpersonal relationships, it’s natural to feel insecure sometimes, especially when we compare ourselves to others. But just as the jaguar doesn’t compete with the sloth for its calmness or the sloth for the jaguar’s speed, we don’t need to compete with anyone for love or worthiness.
Can you think of at least two people in your life that you love deeply and that are completely different from each other?
You might love both your cheerful, spontaneous, and chatty uncle with his unwavering enthusiasm and physical energy that gets you out of the house and interacting with the world around you, AND your quiet and thoughtful best friend with whom you somehow always end up in deep philosophical contemplations that widen the horizons of your inner universe.
When someone loves you deeply, they love you for the essence of who you are. They’re not looking for you to transform into someone else—they’re drawn to what makes you uniquely you.
This isn’t to say we shouldn’t grow or evolve or embrace and integrate different and sometimes even opposing facets of ourselves. On the contrary. Growth and authenticity go hand in hand. Becoming your most authentic self often requires stretching past self-doubt and comfort zones and embracing all the qualities that make you special and unique.
When you recognize your unique value, you become more grounded and at peace with yourself. You stop comparing yourself to others and feeling “less than.” Instead, you begin to celebrate your individuality and that of others. You see that humanity is a beautiful mosaic, with each person contributing their own irreplaceable piece—including you.
When we embrace this truth, we can stop competing and start celebrating. We recognise that just as the world needs both jaguars and sloths, each of us offers a unique and irreplaceable blend of characteristics — and that’s what makes the world richer and more beautiful.
