Respect

Children may not have a complete understanding of the word “respect,” but they are well aware of how it feels to be respected or disrespected. Even without explicitly knowing the term, they possess an innate sense of desiring respect. Children have the ability to perceive when they are being treated with disrespect or when they are being respected. They can pick up on the nuances conveyed through words, tone of voice, and actions, and these experiences shape their understanding of respect as they grow into adulthood.

It is crucial to foster a gentle and nurturing environment for children. Encouraging them to be kind and considerate is a fundamental starting point, even for toddlers. As parents or guardians, it is our responsibility to teach children the meaning of respect and impart upon them the virtues of Respect and Kindness. Teaching them to express gratitude by saying “thank you” when someone is kind to them is an important aspect of this process. We must instill in children the notion that respect should be given first before it can be expected or demanded from others.

Nurturing a child’s growth with love, providing guidance in discipline, and building their character with respect and kindness are essential. Additionally, teaching them the values of apology and forgiveness helps shape their personality and enables them to develop the necessary prudence to make sound decisions as they navigate through life.

• Insult: “To speak to or treat with disrespect or scornful abuse”.

Disrespect causes or prompts us (children and adults) to insult others. Disrespect gives an individual the feeling of superiority over others which can lead the individual to be a BULLY. What is a bully? It is OK to be a bully? Why do many people look up to bullies? Mostly, the only time that people disapprove the actions of a bully is when they become victims of the bully. Most will say that bullies represent the “bad” of society, yet these same people who say these things don’t do anything to take down or even reprimand the bully.

Our modern society teaches children to “expect” respect. These same children who grow up to be adults mingle in society “expecting” respect. They do not respect others unless they are respected first. Now if you have these two individuals with the same attitude meet each other, what do you think will happen?

If you are stopped by a police officer, will you obey the commands of the police officer? What if you think that you have not violated any law? Does the police officer have the right to stop and question you? Will you obey or talk back in a demanding way? Will you still show the police officer the respect as the officer of the law?

The key word is “RESPECT”. The law enforcer has the obligation to stop the suspect. The suspect has the obligation to show respect and comply. In this situation when a suspect disobeys (action or words) or talks back disrespectfully, chances are an argument will ensue or even an arrest. When the suspect refuses to be arrested and fights back, what do you think will happen? Chances are the suspect will lose and if violence starts, chances are the suspect will be injured.

Yet many political leaders and preachers teach to “EXPECT” respect! Riots and demonstrations are incited by these leaders. Why? Because they teach to expect respect and not to give respect first.

How can a political leader get respect? Leaders who keep their promises, exercise integrity, increases the prosperity of their community or country and exercises prudence in dealing with others, will be respected. Political leaders who use money for leverage, do not require a whole lot of respect. They have their paid media followers, minions and propagandists to manipulate popularity charts. Most politicians follow the norm that politics is not about respect. Politics is about popularity and support. Hence, you can see political leaders who are disrespectful yet accepted by its country/community because of power and money.

Anything done without respect is done either for the money, for a reward, as an obligation, out of pity, out of tolerance, out of curiosity, was told to, was forced to, was coerced to, for survival, or for vanity. Do your best to attach the ingredient of respect when you do anything.

Respect makes a person care for another, it allows one to be open and be willing to have a good conversation, to allow the understanding of one another, which can ultimately lead to LOVE. Respect all the creations in this universe. We are its steward. Utilize all the material things around you but be sustainable, recycle or re-use and never abuse or waste. Always replenish. If you carry respect with you at all times, then that greatest advise, “to love one another” can be achieved.

GIVE RESPECT.
DO NOT EXPECT RESPECT.”Respect is to be earned, only if lost once given.”

If everybody is expecting respect, how can there be respect for one another? On the other hand, if everybody gives respect, there will be no need to expect it. The only time that respect needs to be earned is when the respect that was kindly given was disrespectfully lost. The highest type of respect that anyone can bestow on anyone is to HONOR him/her. Honor is in fact earned. Respect leads to honor and love. Loving makes you share. Sharing love leads to peace, happiness and prosperity. Respect sustains dignity. Dignity allows an individual to stay connected.

The belief of a group of people may be different from yours but as long as they do not violate your rights or deprive you of your basic needs, give them the respect. Let them exercise their basic right of UNITY.

There will always be the unintentional transgression, insult, trespassing, interruption or mistake that will upset, hurt or violate us. This is when we dig deep to find our patience, restraint, reason, and exercise prudence to avoid conflict.

Never ever make the mistake of identifying tolerance for respect or kindness. Continued tolerance is cowardice. Do not allow those bullies to cheat, insult, and deprive.  Tolerate if you must, until you are able to fight back. Fight, not because you hate or you are hated, fight because you are defending and protecting what and who you love and respect.

NOTE: To those who think that they can love someone and not respect that person (e.g. I love my brother but I do not respect him.), they have mistaken tolerance for love. On the other hand, you can hate someone or your enemy but still have respect.

• Smile: A nod with a smile can mean the world to a child. It is a gesture of kindness and respect. Do the same for adults.
• Say thank you. Be grateful.
• Keep your promises: Respect yourself and others by keeping your word.
• Show up on time when you make an appointment. This shows that you respect the other person, by valuing his time.
• Exercise prudence. If someone made a simple mistake, try not to be critical immediately.
• Be willing to compromise. This shows that you respect the position of others.
• Do not interrupt. Let the other person finish his/her statement.
• Apologize for your mistakes.
• Be nice, polite, cordial or courteous. Move aside for others in traffic. Open doors for others. Give up a chair sometimes.
• Follow traffic rules. Obey the law.
• Do not cut in line. Wait your turn. This applies to conversations too. Listen and wait for your turn to talk. Do not rudely interfere.
• Follow customs and traditions. Respect the culture of others.
• Do not talk too loud in a public “quiet place” or around other strangers. Talking too loudly in public when friends or acquaintances around you can hear you very well in a lower voice is an act of VANITY or possibly a sign of illness (bad hearing). If it is the latter, then it is time for a hearing aid.