RESPECT!
What do you think respect is all about?
Respect is a way you treat or think about someone. It is also a way someone sees or think about you.
Respect is necessary in our lives and in the society at large. It help to build an individual.
Now, the question is, does it change? Does respect change? Does it change because of situation, the environment or surroundings you might find yourself? Does it change due to an outcomes of events?
I will start by saying that, if you bought the respect with your riches, wealth, position, office, financial influence, bear it in mind that such respect will not last, it is just there for awhile.
Such respect departs from you once you are no longer in possession of such things. The respect goes to the next in line. So, in this scenario, the respect tends to change which means there is no more respect to such person.
Likewise, if you receive or acquire the respect through your diligent effort and passionate work to someone, group of people, to the society, and to humanity. You will be given respect during your services for sure, after your services and when you are no more or gone. The respect for you will continue to exist, reserved and will be remembered for a lifetime.
Another point is based on my opinion, I am saying that respect is earned and not bestowed, because if it is bestowed, it might be taken away sooner or later but if it is earned, it will be there for you in a lifetime. It is your ways, actions, selfless duties that attracts respect towards you and your generation.
How can you acquire respect, gain, earn or give respect? I will use two words to classify the ways we can earn or give respect to ourselves and the society at large. Off course, we might be aware of these words and their meanings but I am using them in this aspect to let us understand what I am saying and where we are heading to.
The first word is what I call:
THE INSIDER(S):
The insider(s) are in you. These are those things that comes out of you or what people sees in you that make them respect you. You may call it the actual you!
Such as –
- Character: I see character as what or who you really are; who you are known for. What makes you different from others as an individual is defined by the character you possess. Character is also known as a personality. What makes a human being to be personalized, that is, the qualities in such a person are his or her character! Your character comes from your values, what you believe, and the things you agree or disagree.
- Attitude: Your behavior; The way one reacts to an event or outcomes indicate his or her attitude. The way you think determine your action toward a particular situation. How about your feeling? Is it humanly welcomed in such a way of restoring or retaining the societal respect of humanity? How you behave shows exactly your attitude. The question is, if it is respectfully encouraged? Does it give respect or receive respect?
- Influence: An influence is necessary when it comes to respect to one and the other. It is also the power to initiate, earn, bestow, build or destroy respect depending on the kind of influence it may be.
- Perspective: This is just the way you see things. The manner of approach towards an event or situation. It is your art of visualization, your innermost reaction to a particular occasion. Respect lies on the way one views things, that is, your sense of reasoning in regards to a fight, disagreement or misunderstanding.
- Values: One’s value(s) are of importance. They can generate respect and be an energy to disrespect. It is the worth of an individual. Your values are seen in your daily living or lifestyle. Like I said earlier on, that respect is what you and another sees in each other as a product. Your value(s) are one of the pieces of evidence. They are cultivated in you!
- Impacts: This comes off course on your influence to humanity. The actual effect you have rendered to others whether positive or negative resonate respect or disrespect. Impact shows the rate of interest one has toward others in the society.
- Culture: Cultures are ideas! It might come from your beliefs or your mindset. It is said to be the people’s way of life. One can likewise cultivate his or her culture; the way of his or her life by initiating their ideas in order to have a respect towards one and another. It can happen in a home, marriage, relationship of all areas with the motion of instituting accorded respect. Therefore, culture helps to build; earn or gives respect.
- Lifestyle: The basic of everything in existence is how they live; their lifestyles. One’s way of life suggest his or her name. taking a look from the beginning, how each creation was given a name based on its found environment. Their lifestyles indicate such and respect is found in the way someone lives or might be living.
- Distinctive: This indicates the differences between individuals in terms of one’s character, attitude, values, perspective, opinion, culture and many more. The difference in you. That is a unique thing entirely when it comes to respect! Your personality as I call it.
The second word, I call it:
THE OUTSIDER(S):
The outsider (s) are not in you. They are outside you. These are those things that comes out of the other person or people, the society or what you see in others that makes you respect them.
You see, the beautiful part of these words is that, both of them have same attributes which make the saying, respect is a reciprocation to be accurate. That is to say, if we need to be respected, we should also learn to respect others. Such known attributes include, to be honest, respectful, apologetic, kind, thankful, polite, diplomacy, self-control, show love, selfless service, forgiveness, patient, tolerance, helpful, slow to anger, avoid anger, unnecessary excuses, strive for good, and lots more alike. Respect is a flow of an act. That is to say, valuing someone opinion even when you do not accept such is a sign of respect. “Having a shift or change in mind will help us understand ourselves, people around us and our surroundings, because perspective is something or everything in life”. For instance, you cannot force or intimidate someone liking you or accepting that which s/he does not like/accept in accordance to their values and vise-versa. Respect the take according to its culture!
Let’s look at some sayings which we might be aware of: –
- Treat others how you would want them to treat you!
- Respect is a reciprocation!
- If you need a miracle, be a miracle to someone!
- Welcome a stranger, because you are a stranger to someone else!
- If you need love, show love!
- If you want to attain to the top, help someone get to the top! And many more
In summary, there are some things you see in people that makes you respect them, likewise there are attributes people sees in you that makes them respect you.
Therefore, let us respect one another, for it is a reciprocated word and act. Respect brings peace, unity and love!
~ Simeon Okore@ theglobalmindinitiatives.com