I recently heard this excellent quote from German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
If you treat people as they are, they will remain that way. If you treat them as what they can be, you can help them become what they are capable of becoming.
I loved the concept and began to think about how I could give this idea practical application. I quickly realized that the first challenge is to be able to look at someone in the light of who they can become, not necessarily who they are.
I've decided that before I can fully apply this philosophy to someone else, I need to target Ivan the Terrible, (my inner bully). Can I begin to think of myself as what I can be, not necessarily who I am? I have to admit it's a tantalizing thought. 
Next are the (thankfully few) people in my life who absolutely drive me crazy. When I see one of them headed my way I frantically begin seeking an escape route. (On really bad days I've even considered ducking under my desk...) Can I take a deep breath and treat them as who they can become? And if I can, will it change them, or will I be the one to change?
Cocoon or metamorphosis? Worm or butterfly? What are we capable of becoming?
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