I still remember what it felt like to be different. I wasn’t quite like the other kids in my first-grade classroom. I was a little darker, I was left-handed, I was a first-generation immigrant—and my eyes didn’t match. In an Irish Catholic elementary school where conformity felt like the norm, I stood out in every way. To top it off, I was a tomboy in a school that separated the girls from the boys. Let’s just say I didn’t exactly blend in.
But here’s the twist: as an adult, these differences are exactly what I celebrate. They are my trademarks—my signature characteristics that tell my story before I even say a word.
The irony is that the very things that made me feel insecure as a child are now the sources of my strength and identity. They are the reasons I walk tall—sometimes literally. Standing at 5 feet 4 inches, I love wearing heels. Some days three inches, other days four. Yes, they add height, but more than that, they spark connection. Whether I’m running errands or crossing the street, someone always stops to comment:
“I used to wear heels like that, but not anymore.”
“How do you walk in those?”
“Where did you get those? What brand are they?”
And just like that, a conversation begins. A story is shared. A door opens. My shoes become more than just footwear—they become an invitation for others to open up, be curious, and connect.
This is what it means to celebrate your trademark—to embrace the unique traits, choices, and quirks that make you who you are. We all have them. Whether we hide them or highlight them, they are there, quietly waiting for our attention. Your trademark might be your bold fashion choices, your accent, your laugh, your creative mind, or your resilience through adversity.
If you’re not already shining in your trademark, maybe it’s time to ask: What is it? And more importantly, why aren’t you celebrating it?
I’ve come to love explaining why my eyes don’t match or why I choose to wear high heels. It’s part of my story, and every time I share it, I reclaim the narrative. I step more fully into who I am and invite others to do the same.
So I offer you this: take pride in your differences. Dance in your high heels—whether they’re literal or symbolic. Life is too short to be judged, silenced, or sidelined. Your quirks, your journey, your passions—they are your power.
If this resonates with you, then ask yourself: What is your trademark? And what shoes do you need to step into your next chapter with confidence and joy?
Your story is worth celebrating. Walk tall in it.
