Wanting Respect

To respect someone means treating them with dignity, understanding and as you would like to be treated. 

Respect includes extending common courtesy such as saying “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me.” Respecting others means acknowledging a stranger with a nod or a smile. 

Do you notice when respect is missing? Do you notice it when it is present? I do. 

Ever meet anyone from the South? Over the years as a fourth grade teacher, I’d sometimes get students from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia. Along with their southern accent came Southern manners. They always undoubtedly and automatically said, “Yes Mam.” 

Everyone noticed their impeccable manners and their impeccable manners took everyone in my classroom to a new level of respect. 

It was a remarkable phenomenon to experience how the respect from just one student naturally permeated the whole culture of a classroom. Teaching in such a harmonious environment always brought high levels of learning.   

The opposite is also true. When respect was missing, even from just one student, the culture of the classroom was always compromised. 

I’d spend more time correcting behaviors, and mediating with students and parents than teaching. It was a shame that one student’s disrespect upset the whole apple cart so to speak.

Respect is not rocket science, but there is a law of science related to respect; For every action or inaction of respect, a consequence occurs. If we think about how our words, actions, and attitudes affect those around us we may be inspired to implement some civility along with some common courtesies toward others.

I know that when I go out in public people are pre-occupied by their phones. They are looking down more than up, at a screen more than in someone’s eyes. But occasionally, I will catch someone’s eye and give them a smile or a nod. If I’ve got their eye, I’ve got their attention. If I’ve got their attention, I certainly want to give them something worthwhile like a smile. 

This also goes for those with earbuds in their ears. I don’t have to say a word, a grin is as good as gold. 

We don’t have to have a natural affinity for someone or even agree with them before we extend respect toward them. The fact that we are both human beings sharing some of the same needs and desires puts us all on the same playing field as every other human being. 

 Why Bother?

Why bother wanting respect? The health of our culture and our country relies on our ability to extend respect to and for each other.

P. S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who need clarity when it comes to understanding forgiveness. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.