Self Respect - Building Healthy Relationships From Within

Introduction:

Welcome my friend!

As you already know, I consider it an honour cum privilege to share these words with you, knowing that you care enough to show up for them, yet even more humbling is the fact that you try to adhere to them, adding them to your everyday lifestyle. 

It's for this reason that it's a huge responsibility, one that I can't carry out without divine wisdom, which constrains me from sharing my own limited thoughts or emotions and by so doing leading another astray. 

So as I avail myself as a mere custodian through which these words flow, I pray that God, who has led you into today's conversation, speaks to your heart in such a way that it makes a profound impact. 

Discussion: 

For most men respect is more important than love and that's because men are creatures of honour, ego and pride. 

Women on the other hand, will feel respected by their significant other if they sense that their opinions and suggestions are taken seriously in the decision making process. 

So while men demand respect because they feel they deserve or have earned it, women do so because it's an indication of how much their feelings are regarded. 

In the end, everyone wants to be respected as it's tied to our human need to be accepted and appreciated. 

Consequently, where respect isn't shown, we'll never truly feel loved by a person or valued in any setup. 

■ Relationship Between Self Love And Self Respect 

Having looked into the love we get from others and how it's demonstrated by their respectful attitudes towards us, it's now time to admit that without love within the love from every other external source holds no meaning to a person. 

For instance, someone with a facial scar that does blend in beautifully may continue to feel ashamed of it even if everyone admires it. 

So while the world sees a person as amazing, they feel they don't measure up and are insecure. 

In line with this example, some scars are emotional and psychological. 

A person that is widely accepted as a high flier may still hear the words of a parent or teacher say “You'll never be good enough” even after hitting the peak of their career. 

From these instances, we can see that in the absence of self love, we wouldn't see ourselves deserving of self respect; constantly acting without dignity and self control.

For us to be able to respect ourselves we must accept ourselves as enough (contentment) rather than seeking completion in friendships or external validation up to the point of losing our true identity and values in the process. 

■ Relationship Between Self Development And Self Respect 

Contentment doesn't oppose improvement but only means that we're able to stay happy through each stage of our progress. 

As we appreciate ourselves for the abilities we already have, we begin to ask more of ourselves, having set aside our self doubt by recognizing that we can do everything we set our minds on. 

Maybe not immediately, as we always want it to be, but eventually through committed effort, dedication and patient endurance.

Also, as we put in these efforts to improve ourselves, our level of self respect appreciates because we recognize our strength to give up all other things for our goals. 

■ The Ultimate Show Of Self Respect 

To respect ourselves is to understand that no gift, relationship, food or any other benefit is worth our dignity. 

To sell our bodies for money, subvert justice to get ahead or to forcefully take away others rights or possessions is only selfish and can have self sabotaging consequences.

When we exhibit disciplined habits, we show that we respect ourselves enough to strive for excellence in everything that we do, going the extra mile to be outstanding rather than mediocre. 

God has called each one of us to do his will, and in adhering to this call he continues to purify and refine us, so that we begin to see ourselves as the masterpieces that we are, living in ways that express this confidence. 

Summary: 

The quality of person we are, will determine the quality of people we attract which is why our relationships may be healthy or otherwise. 

When we feel “unlucky with relationships” we're advised to check within to know why we keep accepting the same people in different bodies and what must change in us before we begin to attract better.  

Finally, when we truly respect ourselves we'll walk away from tables where we're treated less than we deserve without looking back, walking forward to set ours. 

Master Apprentice.

www.twitter.com/truekingmaker