Greetings Dear Reader,
This is one of those issues with which I have wrestled
almost my entire life. Growing up in the
South I do not recall a time when I was not expected to “respect my elders”. Perhaps I should define respect first:
noun: respect
a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something
elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements, the state of being
admired or respected.
synonyms: esteem, regard, high opinion, admiration,
reverence, deference, honor, due regard, politeness, courtesy, civility
antonyms: contempt, disrespect
I see the need to respect people. That is something that our society must
perfect if it is to find peace. My
Grandfather telling me to respect my Grandmother when I was rude made good
sense. Since 1950 the use of this word has
declined in use every year.
I think that we can all agree that giving respect to others
is important. It is vital to peaceful relationships
that we give respect. I am more
concerned about the other side of the coin.
I am concerned that we are identifying a false need when we think we
deserve or are due respect.
It may be true that we do deserve respect due to our office,
position, or person. Children should
always respect their parents. That does
not mean that as a parent I should focus on deserving respect. It does not mean that I can carry that as a
weapon in my arsenal. If I do think I am
due respect, I am creating a need that can only be fed by pride.
Even if I am due it, it is not my place to demand or insist
on it. I can only see that coming form
my pride. When I think I am due respect
and I am disrespected it does not produce love and compassion. It makes me angry. If remember that I really do not want the
things I deserve as a fallen human then perhaps I can deal with disrespect with
more humility.
If I am to wage a war on negating my designees needs, I must
realize that respect is something that may be important but I do not need it to
be my best self. It may be that laying aside
the thought that I am due it will free me to see better ways to move others to
be respectful. I am sure that laying aside
my feelings of insistence can make room for me to be more humble. That is vital for me.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer
who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home
owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Contacts for Aramis
Thorn:
Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment