Fo​rward to Respect

A few thoughts

Perhaps the first thing we need to do is ask “what is respect and how did we lose ​it?” An old definition says “it is how others look back at us.” In other words, when ​someone looks at you, what is the first thing they think. One way to imagine that is to ​think about what pops into your mind when you look at someone else, and take some ​lessons from it.

Improving our own self-image can help to restore respect. We cannot respect others ​if we don’t respect ourselves. But we also need to respect others if we want them to ​respect us. One idea says we should treat others like they are someone we need to ​impress. Think about what that says. We would be on our best behavior and try really ​hard to do and say things that would make that person like and “respect” us, showing ​respect to them. Most important, though, this requires being genuine, being true to ​oneself in the pursuit of mutual respect.

In government, large or small, a structure promoting working together is essential. ​Think of a business producing a product. If the bosses and employees do not trust or ​respect each other or their work, a lack of collaboration and motivation will result, ​leading to chaos and poor work products, eventually resulting in customers losing trust ​in them.

In local neighborhoods or communities, structure needs to provide residents with a ​feeling of belonging. Not long ago, children attended etiquette classes and learned ​manners to enhance their part in society. Etiquette and manners are out of fashion ​now. Religious morals and ethics have also waned in influence However, studies show ​that belonging, being part of something, actually makes us happier than owning ​something.

Some have sought a sense of belonging by elevating their political opinions into a belief ​structure. Unfortunately, this tends toward a more polarized society as the two ​strongest political parties vie for more believers. This has also been exacerbated by ​cable news and opinion shows.

Polls indicate respect and common decency are severely lacking now. How did we let ​this happen? We can’t answer it all here, but we can probably agree the worst thing ​that can happen to a person’s ego or self-respect is public humiliation.

Destroying someone’s self-respect is an act of power over them. With the advent of ​social media, complete strangers can exercise this power over anyone and everyone and ​have it spread throughout the world in seconds. Children for years have been taught to ​be kind to animals. Now we need to learn to be kinder to each other.

We have to work together if we are to form a “more perfect union”, to promote

innovation,to collaborate for the good of the nation and we, the people. This requires ​an open mind. We have to cooperate in order to maintain a system that gives us the ​support we need, to recognize and respect both the uniqueness and the sameness of ​each other. Then, and only then, can we begin the journey back to trusting in each ​other.

To sum it up: Don’t be a know-it-all. Don’t let hate or pride or envy take over. ​When you encounter someone with whom you disagree, be honest and tell them you ​think a bit differently. Maybe you can discuss why you disagree, or learn something new,​ and maybe not, ,but in the end, hopefully self-respect remains on ​b​oth sides.

Just give respect a chance. By conversing with others, we’ll undoubted​ly learn we didn’t know it all and we might even discover we have more in common than w​e thought. Above all, we need to remember we are more than ou​r​ politics.