The Will to Try
My daughters love the Animal Planet. One day they were retelling the story of a dog born with only two legs. Let's call him Roscoe. Assuming him to be an invalid, Roscoe's owners carried him everywhere. Roscoe gladly played the part, perhaps even believing himself to be an invalid - until the day another dog took his toy.
Roscoe was lounging on the front stoop when a four legged beast came along and bit Roscoe, then stole his toy. Before he knew what he was doing - and not stopping to realize he couldn't - Roscoe popped up on his two hind legs and chased after his toy.
For Roscoe, assumptions were more debilitating than physical limitations.
Some people truly need our assistance. Some people convince us they need help because they don't know their own potential. Sadly there are those who know their potential, but choose not to use it. Others, like Roscoe, accept our aid because they don't have confidence in themselves to try.
We can encourage our spouses, children, and friends to reach their potential or we can fuel their dependency. Are you the kind, loving family member and friend who carries others about, never challenging them to try to walk? Or are you the perceived enemy, nipping at their heels and stealing their toy - in the end offering them freedom they never knew existed?
As therapists, our clients depend on us to see their physical potential and give them the tools to reach independence. By giving them the tools they need, we provide the impetus for both the will to try and the faith to believe it is possible.
Are you motivating others to reach their full potential or giving them reason to remain dependent? Who can you spur on to victory this week?
"The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it's possible." -Rich Devos