Seeing isn't Believing, Believing is Seeing

I got a text last night from a dear friend that said I need one of your inspirational blogs. My response was, funny you say that I'm trying to post one now. I have had a heavy heart for a few days now and with that came yesterdays blog. The need of a friend to receive encouragement and the timing of my post was perfectly unplanned. We never know what struggles or battles that others are going through. Some people are grammy award winners when it comes to hiding their struggles. One can look like sunshine and daffodils on the outside when on the inside a hurricane is beating their inner shore. Things often are not what they appear to the eye. I have learned over the years of working with the public that deception is an art for some people. Whatever excuse you can come up with chances are I have heard it. Those of you that have occupations in the public field, know exactly what I am talking about. Some excuses are quite humorous while others are gut wrenching that draw us into that persons issues. How do we know if it's fact or fiction? That is a question we have all contemplated in our minds. Sometimes we have the facts in front of us or the excuse is so off-the-wall crazy that we know it is false. How do we react when we believe the words that have been said but later realize maybe they were only empty words? I've seen this occur in friendships, in the workplace, in families and I bet you have witnesses it or experienced it at some point in your life. I am one that believes in people especially in my children, my very best friends and my work team. 

Would you rather have a leader that believes in you or doubts you? Would you rather have employees that believe in you or doubt you? I am not sure where this quote originated but I have heard many times. "You are only as good as the people that work for you." I find a great deal of truth in that statement. I hope that if anyone were to ask any of my team members to list qualities about their leader that one of them would be, she believes in us. I like this quote from Judy Elf in The Santa Clause movie, "Seeing isn't believing, Believing is seeing" of course this was relating to Santa Clause. Each of us can interpret this quote differently. My thoughts are simple for I believe in valuing people. I believe in second chances. I believe in the words that are said when often they can't be expressed. I believe until that person proves themselves to be different to me which that happens. Then we revert back to yesterdays post about disappointment. Sometimes we want be believe in someone or in something (like a goal) so badly that we over focus on it. I am guilty of that being the a goal driven person I am. I had to back up, come to terms that I believed in an individual and their words more than the person that spoke them did or at least that is my perception. Although I could be wrong and that happens too.   I am such a people believer that I desire to see the good. Although someone let you down with empty words, not following through, excuses or not meeting expectations doesn't mean the next person will.  It is up to us to learn from our mistakes and also learn from the mistakes of others. Be accountable for your words and actions. Continue to believe in others. You might be surprised how believing in someone could impact their life in a positive way and yours too. As the 80's Journey song states, "Don't Stop Believin'". 

Just Believe......

I took this picture while visiting NYC in December. This was on the side of Macy's department store.