Treasure People You Meet on Your Pathway of Life

"Everyone you meet has a part to play in your story. And while some may take a chapter, others a paragraph, and most will be no more than scribbled notes in the margins, someday, you'll meet someone who will become so integral to your life, you'll put their name in the title," so declared Beau Taplin. In Anthony D'Angelo's words, "Treasure your relationships, not your possessions." Today, let's reflect on treasuring people you meet along your life's journey. Do you know that people you meet on your life's journey could be some of the greatest treasures in your life? While the temptation may be to look down on some people or judge others based on their physical appearance or social status, the reality is that every human that crosses your path of life, has amazing things to offer. The implication is that what you get from people depends on what you look for. As Paulo Coelho said, "You can either be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It all depends on how you view your life." In the words of Bryant McGill, "There are amazingly wonderful people in all walks of life; some familiar to us and others not. Stretch yourself and really get to know people. People are, in many ways, one of our greatest treasures." To Brian Tracy, "The greatest treasures of your life are associated with the people you love and who love you in return.” Recognizing the value of people, Matshona Dhliwayo counselled, "Before you look for dirt in people, look for treasure." Stella Lee advised, "Work hard to protect what you have and the people that you are blessed to have around you. Unless you are fine with losing them forever, remember that relationships take work, and you have to be willing to put in that work." So, enhance your capacity to harness the vast potentials in people you meet along your path of life. Reject the temptation to judge people by their looks or focus on immediate benefit. Develop the wisdom to deal with people in a manner that will maximize the value of human relationships. Treat every contact as a farm where you sow seed recognizing that the season of harvest would arrive one day. Know, as Buddha said, "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." Let people that come across you also benefit from you as a treasure vessel. Be alert, as Daisaku Ikeda noted, that "There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accidents or disasters can destroy such treasures of the heart." Though the dynamics of life may tempt you to see others as opponents, rivals, threats, opportunists, etc., develop the capacity to build relationships that can enable you maximize the treasures in others rather than focusing on the negatives and losing the opportunity to make the best of every relationship. Victoria Osteen understood the value of people and so declared, "Our relationships are precious, valuable treasures from heaven, and we should handle them carefully, always looking for ways to build bridges to each other's hearts." As you step out today, be determined to walk in such a way that you maximize the value of your relationships with others. Let your life open the door to connect with others so you can see the hidden light in human vessels. Remember, as Lao Tzu said, "The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own."