How to Treat People

There’s a quote which is attributed to many different people. I don’t know who the correct source of the quote is, but it goes like this, “Treat everyone as if they are sacred, until the sacred in them remembers.”

There are caveats to this directive, for sure.

Of course.

But what if, generally, we could do this?

What if we treated people with dignity, as if they’re sacred?

What would that look like?

It might begin by treating yourself with dignity, as if you are sacred.

Because baby, you are.

Do you need to live in a castle on a hill before you see your worth?

Do others?

Do you need to drape yourself in silk and jewels before you count?

Do others?

I once rode in an elevator with Thomas Moore and he told me, “To the soul, the ordinary is sacred and the everyday is the primary source of religion.”

Fine, we weren’t in an elevator. Or, ya know, generally living in the same time period. Whatever. Details schmeetails.

Look around you and inside you. Everything is holy. Everything is sacred. Including people. Including you. Remember? X

Katherine Morgan Schafler is an NYC-based psychotherapist, author, and speaker. For more of her work: get her book, follow her on Instagram, subscribe to her newsletter, or visit her site.