If there’s one thing I emphasize with my students, it’s that I care about how they think.

While they may be used to getting picked apart for their grammar, spelling or whether or not they conformed their work to the exact response the teacher wanted, I want none of it.

Grammar can be fixed.
Spelling can be checked.

Taking the opportunity to think… that’s difficult. Thinking requires mental stamina, focus and a willingness to explore aimlessly.

This is why I’m always wary of work that is highly polished, but doesn’t actually do anything. In other words—shallow work that looks pretty.

It’s the story written with perfect grammar where you don’t care what happens and have no vested interest in any of the characters.

It’s the priest who gives a homily that is highly entertaining, but lacks any depth. Just one amusing anecdote after another, leaving you empty.

It’s the shiny new product with the cool label that does exactly what another product you own does, but without the frills.

It’s the breadcrumb aisle with a thousand different options temporarily stunning you into choice paralysis… until you realize it’s just breadcrumbs.

It’s the person dressed in the formal attire with the polished look who presents well, but is nothing more than shallow thinker punctuated with one amusing story on repeat.

The polish should always come after the hard work is done, not before.

Otherwise, you’re just putting lipstick on a pig. And no matter what shade or colour you use, it still can’t hide the fact it’s still a pig.