Are you an English speaker?
If yes, then you’re a lot like an emerald.
Let me explain…
An emerald, like a diamond, is a gem stone.
And also like a diamond, emeralds are very valuable.
In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra loved jewelry with emeralds.
In ancient Rome, Emperor Nero collected them.
And in the New World, Spanish explorer Cortez made room for them on his ships next to his bricks of gold.
But now, with modern technology, it’s possible to make an emerald in a laboratory.
So how do you tell the difference between a real emerald and a fake?
Like this: an expert takes out his magnifying glass and looks beneath the surface of the gem.
If he sees air bubbles, it’s real.
If there are no bubbles, it’s a fake.
In other words, perfect is not natural.
Flaws, mistakes, errors… these are natural.
Just like you and me and all our mistakes.