Respect

“R E S P E C T find out what it means to me” said Aretha Franklin. Wise words from an amazing voice. Respect is one of the easiest things in the world to give, nearly as easy to lose, and probably more important to you and I than we even realize.

I am part of a few small groups at my church. My men’s group Monday, my inspiration group on Tuesday, and a relationship group on Sunday. During discussion on Sunday we were asked the question “What is a characteristic of a good relationship?” There were so many good answers, but as I started to think about my answers and the answers of others I came to the realization that all of them circled back around to respect.

In this life we respect people we consider to be a leader or an authority figure. Sometimes because their position commands it, other times because they have earned it, and more frequently I think we respect them hoping to get respect from them. When respect is freely given it is the best. Because when you respect someone you allow them more grace more leeway in your eyes. They can say something to you that you can take two ways and you will always take it the best way. We are slower to anger and to judgement of the ones we respect.

Now losing respect is almost as easy. Ten years ago I had a supervisor who was hired on at the company I had been with for seven years. This guy was a piece of work. A real hard nosed guy who thought his way was the only right way. He came to me one day to complain about something I had done, trust me I don’t need help pointing out when I fall short I am my own worst critic. He explained his point of view and I had shared my side at the end I said “we will just have to be ok disagreeing on this” to which he replied “You will do it my way and more importantly you will respect me.” I had not been disrespectful at all at that time but with that one statement I had lost all respect for him.

We lose respect for people in so many ways and they may lose respect for us for the same or different reasons. When someone lies, when someone steals from you, or when someone disrespects you, you tend to lose respect. It may not be all at once, respect may be eroded a little at the time like the water does to land. One of the quickest ways to lose respect is by not respecting the feelings of the other person.

With respect being a precious commodity, with unimaginable value, that we have a never ending supply of why do we not give it out more freely. Let’s get out today and respect your fellow man. The respect that you show them might not change their world, might not change their day, it might not even change their mind about you, but it will change how you feel about yourself. It will change your mind about how you see yourself, and it will change your heart.

We can’t change the world, without changing our mind. I love you.