Respect! Respect! Respect!

RESPECT by definition means a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. RESPECT by definition also means to have due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. RESPECT is earned and cannot be demanded. If these are true, why isn't everyone treated with respect? Why is it that many people in our society fail to show respect where it has been earned? Better yet why do so many of us fail to show ourselves respect? Knowing that we have the power to make change in the world, many of us allow patterns of behaviour to exist around us and within us, within our relationships and within society. We are often afraid to stand up and voice out-loud the disrespectful scenes that play out in front of us due to our own fears or contempt. This is especially true of the way we see ourselves in life and the work we are willing to do to change and become the best versions of ourselves. Yet if we know inherently that someone or something is not respecting our wishes, feelings, rights, achievements, abilities, qualities and/or traditions; why do we sit by and continue to allow it? More importantly if we witness this action against others, why do we not we not step up? Why is it harder for us to step up? As human beings we are all have abilities. We all have feelings and follow traditions (whether we agree on others or not) and we all have wishes and strive to achieve. If this is the preface of what respect is, then everyone is in a position to have earned it. If according to this definition, who you are does not harm or hurt any other human being, then respect should be guaranteed and given to us all equally. Not questioned or debated. Not ignored or treated with contempt. For its not that we have different views or traditions that is the issue, it's the fact we don't respect each others. It's not the fact we feel things differently, it's that we don't respect each others feelings. It's not the fact that we don't have the ability to respect ourselves, it's the fact that when faced with uncomfortable situations create din fear, we opt to ignore our own feelings or what is right. Not breaking the pattern that stands before us. And it's not the fact that we don't have rights, it's the fact that all our rights are not equal. I challenge you to look at respect in your own world today. Do you respect those around you? More importantly do you respect yourself?