R is for Respect

re·spect

rəˈspekt/

noun

a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

verb

admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

Respect is consideration for ourselves, others and the world we find ourselves in.  Respect is an action and a behavior. Respect (action and behavior) is given, not forced.  

When someone forces another into a “respectful” behavior, the person who is forced is merely pretending. The other person who has forced the behavior on another is not getting any respect. At that point the relationship is unpleasant and seeds of change are being planted.

Respect is also a popular idea.  However the idea of respect evokes controversy. People have indicated that even if you don’t like someone you can still respect them. I have found that I did not like to be around someone because of their behaviors, yet I could observe some act that they performed which I did respect.  Still I didn’t respect them completely because they were not consistently respectful.  In one area they were successful and demonstrated something worth my admiration, however the same person did some other thing and created a need for distance between that person and myself. In that regard I can also say the same about myself.

In all relationships respect is critical.  With respect, we are able to be patient, kind and open to the opinions, feelings or deliberations of others.  Without respect, we treat each other poorly and the spirit (some might think it is ego, but it is more) cannot tolerate the insult. The insult is lack of recognition of the other’s unique expression of spirit (yes, that would be God!).

Spirit must see spirit in order to journey peacefully together.  If and when I desire the company of another, I desire their respect. However I do not desire their admiration as I do not need it and you do not need mine because we are each an equal expression of God.  I do desire consideration and space to express myself. I also desire to give the other person (or living being) consideration and the space to express their purpose.  Relationships are  partnerships and all relationships are temporary. All partnership journeys are temporary because we are each a complete unique expression of the whole and in the end, we return to the whole where we become one consciousness. Respect is recognizing this consciousness in each other and in the world and behaving accordingly.

Be well and be happy!

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