Heather's Guest Post: Who Can See Your Potential

Heather's blog is one of the first blogs I ever started reading.  She disappeared on me for a little while due to real life getting in the way, but I'm SOOO glad she's back.  If you ever need a dose of positive vibes, be sure to check her out!!

As I sit here and consume my second cup of coffee while thinking of a moment that has changed my life to write about, I was reminded of an experience that I will never forget.  This last spring I was student teaching in a fourth grade class.  One day, we were working on division problems and a young girl was struggling with the process.  She came to me and said that she just can’t get the right answer.  I asked her to work it out for me so I could see how she was figuring it out.  This student was not at the top of the class and I knew that she may struggle a bit, but I wanted to see what was tripping her up the most so that I could break it down to a point that she would understand.  I could see that she had the right idea, but was missing a step or two.  I looked at her and said, “Slow down and think about the process.  I know you can do this.”  She then replied with, “How do you know I can do this.”  I simply said, “I see it!  I see it in you and I know you can do this.”  She looked at me as if she thought I was magic.  I could almost see her thinking, “I don’t see it, but if she does then I’ll try.”  She then returned to her desk and worked out the problem.  She brought it back (with a smile) and much to her surprise, it was correct.  The next day, when she brought in her homework, I made a point to look at her work first.  Sure enough, she had every problem correct!  I was so proud!  I went over to her and I said, “Wow, what a great job you did.”  She said to me, “You were right.  I did have it in there.” 

That moment changed my life and confirmed that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.  Thinking on that moment also made me realize that all we need is someone to recognize that we have it in us.  Picture, if you will, something that you struggle with or wish you could accomplish.  It could be losing weight, exercising, saving money, or whatever.  If someone were to approach you and say, “I know you can do this because I see it in you,” would that enhance your motivation?  The “someone” that recognizes your potential, whether they know it or not, is creating a partnership and creating a great deal of encouragement.  Maybe that is all we need, someone to recognize our potential and push us to the next level?  Is it possible that our friends need that from us also?

I know that my potential has increased and I have gained a great deal of support from my “blog land” friends (as I like to call them).  Having this experience has brought encouragement, drive, and a sense of accountability that I wouldn’t have had on my own.  That being said, I love to read about others and their experiences yet I am not one to comment all of the time.  I am pulling for them in their lows and excited about their highs, but I don’t always tell them.  Just thinking about this experience has made me recognize how important comments and encouragement are to my friends and fellow bloggers.  I am grateful for those who choose to be a part of my success and want me to be a part of theirs, even if I’ve never met them face to face.  I can count on them to be there and say, “You can do this because I see it in you” and I will be overjoyed to return the favor.