This is another favourite of mine to share that elicits a lot of response from students. Thanks to Willa for the reminder.
“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humour, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” — attributed to both Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe and Haim G. Ginott
This was challenging to read as I started each class (…and not just because I have trouble pronouncing “Goethe”). I was reminded again and again as I read it of the power and opportunity of this special role as teacher. My skills and ability t o take right action and do right by these people is magnified. Reaffirming my intention was key to do the best to serve their highest and my highest.
There is so much to this and hopefully I’ll write more on it soon. However, this past week one point I have spoken to in class is how we treat ourselves in thoughts and action. Often it is far from flattering and more in the “as I am” category, or even a “worse than I am.”
Are you treating yourself as you ought to be?
Beautiful and so very gut-wrenchingly true.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Couldn’t have said it better.