It helps me as I help others to remember this from Goethe

If you treat a man as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be. – Goethe

Many of the people I work with come from a checkered past. I too, come from a checkered past. Checkered with mistakes and failures, periods of poor judgment in actions or people. I’d like to think we, who go through such times, grow out of it, eventually.

If you treat a man as he is, he will remain how he is…

The growing out of such periods need a boost sometimes, from others. Folks who see in you a higher ceiling and treat you as if you’re already on that level of life. A glimpse of the promise or prospect in their eyes, in your spirit, and a small action towards the “as if” of who you can become.

But if you treat him as he were what he ought to be and could be…

I do my best to remember this quote along with a caveat of my own. Something important (for me, at least) to remember:

Be aware of the circumstance(s) of how the man became who he is today.

Remaining open and aware (aka diligent and vigilant) of the possibilities that surround the present situation AND raising the bar by showing kindness and respect to who they might become.

Have you ever tried to jostle for position with a donkey or mule?

They can be pretty stubborn. I’ve always found a gentle spirit or a kind word softens their opposition. This practice also works well with people, something I would do well to remember more often.

We find such instruction in Proverbs 15:1 –

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

I try to remember the advice of “Horse Whisperer” Buck Brannaman: “[Be] gentle in what you do, firm in how you do it.”

“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” ~ Vince Lombardi

Climbing to the Top

It’s not about the rat race or maddening crowd. It’s not about looking behind you to see who’s catching up. It really has little to do with others.

It’s about becoming the best you possible. Growth. Perseverance.

The climb, at times, is hard and grueling. The view from the top, the feeling of victory in overcoming, is exhilarating.

Keep climbing.

“The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.”

– James Allen

 is just the beginning.

The biggest accomplishments begin with a small thing – whether that’s by a preparation, a practice, or by perseverance.