Respect: An Acknowledgment Of Value

Introduction:

Welcome, my friend,

How are you doing?

Indeed, from where we stand, we can already see the Christmas trees being put up once again, a beautiful reminder that the year is gently coming to its close.

What a journey it's been for us, and together we'd end it strongly, making the most of every little moment we still have left, to share these words that inspire us.

Ideally, this remains our goal today and throughout the few precious weekends we still have, and as always, I’m counting on you to be a part of it.

Cheers to another beautiful weekend, my friend!

Discussion:

Deep within every one of us lies a core need to be: acknowledged, truly understood, given the freedom to make our own choices, and to have those choices accepted without judgment.

This is what respect means to us.

In other words, it's the deep sense of worth we feel when others show in tangible ways that they value us enough to let us express who we truly are, freely and fully.

However, this also places a gentle responsibility on our shoulders, to prove ourselves worthy, living in a way that preserves and honours the respect we’ve been given.

After all, as the timeless saying goes, “respect is earned.”

■ Self Respect - Setting The Standard For Others 

The way we carry ourselves is always determined by our level of self worth, the value we have consciously placed on ourselves.

This must never be mistaken for arrogance or an overblown sense of importance; it is simply the quiet resolve to treat ourselves with genuine dignity and care.

Indeed, this is foundational because it directly sets the standard for what we will tolerate from others and what we believe, deep down, that we truly deserve.

In the same way, self respect is also deeply tied to self love.

When we constantly focus only on our areas of inadequacy, we inevitably feel “less than,” and that timid, diminished energy becomes something others can plainly see.

The truth is, most times people aren’t even fixated on our shortcomings, as they’re too busy dealing with theirs, until we ourselves through our own insecurity magnify and place the spotlight on ours.

Here, it's liberating and empowering to shift our gaze toward our own strengths, to genuinely appreciate ourselves for the good and beautiful aspects that are also part of who we are.

When we recognize and appreciate our strength we give it the focus it needs to be constantly refined through willing and intentional self development.

■ Respect - An Act Of Love 

Love and respect are deeply woven together, because when we truly love someone, we care about their feelings; becoming sensitive to the impact our words and actions have on their heart.

This mindfulness is respect in its purest form.

In the same gentle way, respect awakens admiration, and real admiration very often blossoms into love.

When we sincerely value a person, love is usually already quietly living there; we only need to look a little closer to see how deep its roots have grown.

In these, we see that, no matter how many sweet words someone offers, if their actions toward us lack respect, it quietly tells the truth: perhaps they do not love us enough to truly care about the feelings they stir in us.

Similarly, when we respect a person, we at least love them enough to want them to excel.

Wherever, there's love, respect is present and vice versa, otherwise, there's a misalignment there's yet to be reconciled.

■ Respect – Identifying True Value

The qualities we admire and honor in others are a mirror of who we are deep inside, or of the person we long to become.

When a society cares more about the act of giving than about the character behind the gift, people with money quickly learn that their wealth can quietly paper over every other missing virtue.

Here, respect is traded like a commodity, and the size of one’s pocket becomes the loudest voice in the room.

Yet, where value is measured only by bank balances, people with questionable characters are swiftly lifted onto pedestals, so that sycophancy becomes the daily currency; with integrity relegated to the back seat.

Consequently, this worsens over the years because the young grow up with no true role models to emulate, only rich shadows to chase.

So that everyone strives to become rich by all means instead of men and women whose lives shine through with excellence, honor, and virtues far more worthy of respect than anything money can buy.

In the end, a person’s worth should never be shrunk down to what their hands can provide.

Otherwise, we keep crowning money as king, beyond what it truly is.

■ Honesty - Respecting Other's Time 

When we waste another's time, whether deliberately or carelessly, we quietly dishonor them, because we're taking something priceless that they can never get back.

Honesty saves everyone's time.

So, if from the very beginning we already know that our visions for a relationship don't match, the most respectful thing we can do is to say it clearly and kindly, so we don’t keep each other walking a road that leads nowhere.

When we have the courage to let go of what can't grow, we lovingly open the door for what truly can.

Honesty is an act of respect, ensuring that we don't make a fool of another person.

■ Respect - Honouring Our Freedom Of Choice

Even God, our creator, respects our choice, allowing us the freewill to decide if we truly believe in Him.

Although He constantly stretches His hands to initiate a connection, using both blessings and adversities alike, to catch our attention, He doesn't force us into any decision.

However, being free to choose doesn't exonerate us from the consequences of our choices.

When we reject Him, we miss out on His plan and the deep sense of fulfillment that comes only as a reward of walking in His purpose.

So, while we have the freedom to choose, we also have the responsibility to choose wisely; the chief of such choices being to simply, believe in Him.

Once we do, we open our hearts to willingly begin our walk with Him.

■ Summary:

When we dishonor others it becomes difficult for them to give us what we don't have.

When we treat people with respect, we quietly show them the standard we expect in return, gently commanding the same treatment we desire.

How we treat others shows the value we have for them, and if we constantly behave as though they have little or no worth, it reflects poorly on us.

After all, we're all something but no one is everything, and we must always bear this in mind.

Master Apprentice.

www.x.com/truekingmaker