From my Franklin Planner:
"The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice."
George Eliot
When we have a spark of wisdom or finally understand a complex topic, it is easy to think we should trick, force, or manipulate others to also make this break through.
The reality is the stick only works as longer as we are bigger, stronger, and are paying attention. If we glance away, or no longer have the power to force change, most other individuals will stop doing what we tried to make them do.
The best way is to teach what we have learned, and then let others choose. Some may not choose, or at least not now, but we have a much better chance at effecting change.
I've had the following quote in a signature file for years:
"Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others."
-- Jacob M. Braude
I know that it is very hard to get myself to change.
----------
Technorati tags: growth, change, Jacob Braude, George Eliot
2 comments:
Thanks so much for sharing this thought with us! How true that really is! Growth isn't really growth if it's forced, becuase then we're not learning all the things that we need in order to implement the changes necessary to grow. The first step in learning and growing is to admit or recognize the need for it in the first place and then to choose to act on that information. Choice! What a beautiful thing there is in free will.
I'm glad you enjoyed the thought.
One of the balances Janine and I struggle with as parents is when do we let our children make choices, and when do we just tell them what we want to do. As they get older the balance shifts.
Post a Comment