RESPECT

Respect, as a context, is what-is.
I see it in the driving force of the whole of existence.
When we lose sight of the is-ness of this, however,
We imagine respect to be separate, subject to lack and possible loss,
And something that has to be earned, or reached for.
We make up expectations and demands for "respect" from others.
Respect becomes a position,
Which automatically creates its opposite -- Dis-respect.

What is this intangible no-thing that we call "respect"?
What does it look like?
When we "respect" someone or something,
What are we actually doing?
We "do" Respect
When we grant esteem
For another and for our self.

Respect is a genuine regard for the innate sovereignty and dignity of one's whole character,

Not as you think it might be,

Or ought to be,

Or hope it will be,

But as it is.

Respect entails noting, giving due regard and space to, acknowledging, owning, recognising and allowing whatever is, to be just as it is.

Respect begins with one's self.

Without respect for self,

We have nothing genuine to give away 

To anyone or anything else.

Don't confuse self-respect with self-justification,
You can feel the difference --
Self-justification rides on waves of right-ness;
Self-respect reposes in a quiet assurance of completeness.

In the absence of genuine self-respect,

We're forced to get by with, and strew around fake, synthetic substitutes
Such as "liking", approving, agreeing, and kowtowing.
There's no respect in any of that stuff.

Living in a state of Respect
Is a two-way exchange.......
We experience

• deferential regard being shown and felt,
• esteeming, honouring, and being esteemed or honoured in our being,
• considering and being considered.

There are only three ways to get respect that I know of --

1. Give it, without expectation of quid pro quo
2. Deserve it. Be the kind of person who inspires respect.
3. Assume that it exists in whatever comes back to you. Loosen up on your ironclad expectations of what respect should look like.

Any addictive demand on your part for respect from others is evidence of

a) a paucity of self-respect; and

b) an unhealthy amount of self-importance, the very quality that will repel the likelihood of the respect you're looking for.

Respect for another means refraining from interfering with...
Being sensitive to, and giving due regard to personal boundaries.
Unless you have legal parental responsibility,
Or have been specifically invited to engage in the way another lives their personal life,
Mind your own business.
Respect includes honouring every other person's right to do life their way,
To face the challenges and have the experiences that life delivers them
So that they can learn the lessons they've come to live through,
Under their own steam.
That's how we all grow and evolve.

Respect is a universal right,

But if you abrogate that right by disrespecting anyone,

Especially your self,

Don't complain when the rest of the world 

Disrespects you.