"Three things that should be despised: a ragged young man, a shaggy filly and a freckled-legged girl."
___Scots Gaelic triad
The ability to foster potential and encourage the young is one of the great gifts of a mature individual. It gives power and hope to the as-yet-developed soul struggling to find its place in life. When we invest interest and encouragement in someone, we invest her with a level of trust, a belief in herself that may give her the power to blossom and mature in wonderful ways. Every act of encouragement must be sensitively judged however, for if we invest two much hope in people, our expectations become a burden that may cause them to falter.
The recognition of potential is something that all ages need, if we are to flourish. This is especially true for those souls who have been discouraged in their early life or whose potential has been blocked by unfortunate circumstances. The soul damage to people who have been taught to despise their own potential is incalculable; they can speak only slightingly of themselves and their achievements. They need careful, steady encouragement to remind them of their true worth and to reintegrate the gifts they were born with but that were stolen by the insensitive and manipulative actions of others.
The ragged young man may make good, the shaggy-hair filly may win uncounted races, and the freckled-legged girl may turn into a beauty without help and encouragement; but if the beholder can recognize the potential of each, the hidden gifts may develop in a more assured way.
"Without judging by appearances, look for the potential in those you meet."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]
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