Who They Might Become

See in Others, What Might Be

As I help others, it helps me 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. We who go through such times eventually grow out of it. Maybe.

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

Sometimes, growing out of such periods needs a boost from others.

Folks who see in others a higher ceiling and treat them as if they’re already on that level of life.

A glimpse of the promise or possibility in your eyes, your spirit, and a small action towards the “as if” of whom they can become.

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

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

Be open and aware of the circumstance(s) of how the person became who they are today.

We must remain open and aware — diligent and vigilant — of the possibilities surrounding the present situation, and raise the bar by showing kindness and respect to whom they might become.

I want to consider myself a good finder, encourager, and cheerleader to others. I like myself better when I practice these muscles. Frankly, I like others better when I practice these muscles.

I treat and talk to others like they've already leveled up. In my mind’s eye, they are just a kind word or deed away. So I treat them like who they can become, and they will see that in themselves, too.