Treat Those Around You As they Aspire to Be

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, Treat people as if they were what they should be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming.

There were experiments done in the 60's or 70's regarding students and how they learn. Students were chosen at random to be those deemed "gifted" or "average" or "special need." The teachers were not told of the test, but only that certain students were found to be each of the categories. Over the period of the semester, the researchers found that the students who were designated "gifted," improved their grades, felt and behaved with more confidence. The extra time, encouragement and expectations of their teachers changed the students (and their parents) perception of themselves. Sadly, those who were average ended with "average" scores (for some of them, these scores were lower than they had been previous to the experiment) and those classified "special need" had decreased self esteem and scores because they believed themselves less capable as less was expected of them. At the end of the semester, the teachers, parents and students were all let in on the "experiment." I have to wonder what long term effect those experiments had on those students.

You and I have a choice everyday how we will treat those around us. Are you treating others in such a way that they aspire to be a better person? Are people encouraged after they've been with you? How would you feel if you were treated as though you are who you aspire to be? Wouldn't it be wonderful?

Let's do it! Let's help each other to rise to our better self. Let's treat others the same way you want them to treat you. (Luke 6:31)