Respect

Respect. We all want it. How do we get it?

We can’t force it. Forcing anything upon other people pushes them away. No one wants to be MADE to do anything. Makes me think of raising my children. When I try to force my kids to do things, they push back. Especially my strong willed Liesl. She will fight me tooth and nail. Don’t get me wrong, there are times I will throw her over my shoulder. I mean what would my boss say if I told him “I was late today because Liesl said she was sick, but she really wasn’t sick, and I was trying to convince her she had to go to school.” The steel business must still keep running.

So it goes without saying, when I force my kids to do something it usually is met with a push back. However, if I discuss it with them, tell them the rewards and consequences, I’m sometimes met will a more willing child.

So you can’t force someone to respect you. When powerful people demand respect, they may be treated with respect on a superficial level but not with true respect.

How to get respect? One, know that not everyone will give you respect. That’s a fact of life and some people are rude and mean. But it all starts with you. How do you see yourself?

Joyce Meyer in her book Beauty for Ashes says it perfectly. “After saying, ‘You shall love the Lord your God,’ Jesus added, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’ (Mark 12:30-31). If you cannot get along with or love yourself, you will find it too difficult to get along with or love anyone else.”

So, love yourself, respect yourself, and learn to truly believe in who you are. Then if someone doesn’t show you respect, guess what???

YOU WON’T CARE!

I know, it’s easier said then done but it can be done. With time and hard work, you too will realize your worth and find true happiness.