Respect

I have always heard that respect is earned and not given. I always thought that had some value and truth to those words, but I have been seeing in our current world it has become demanded and entitled to be respected. If I don't agree with their thought process I become less than filth. If I don't respect people the way they want me to portray respect, then I have a screw loose. Having my own thoughts and feeling are no longer allowed. I must bend to everything around me and it is my fault if things go wrong.

  I have become more aware in these past few years in how I give respect. I always start the stranger with 100% respect and their words and actions from there on will decide if I respect them more or less. So I give respect immediately and they earn to keep it. I try to conduct myself in the same manner and I strive to maintain the privilege of respect earned from others. 

 I try to make the best choices I can to not strive for respect from people that hurt my life and those around me. I start with seeing the best and wanting to immolate the people I truly respect and admire. 

  People now a days will degrade others if you don't agree with them. Rather than having a productive conversation about opposing ideas then respecting their point of view. Even as I finish that last sentence I thought our current world would say "but how can I respect their point if it is in my opinion hurtful" This is where I see people start to put them down; it accomplishes nothing, other then boosting ones ego. 

  Some people no longer respect others decisions. When in our society did it become our personal problem to make sure everyone does exactly what you think is right no questions ask? If there is any then degrade them. No one can control what other people do. What I can do is control how I respect people and those around me. If someone in my life becomes hurtful in my opinion, then I will talk with them and see if we can come to an agreement to what I believe to be an issue. If we cannot come to an agreement then I respect their decision because it is theirs. I might not see them anymore, but I hope their life ends up amazing. 

  I believe as well people have been losing respect for themselves. I know I have a hard time with having any shred of respect for myself, but I have been working on it for most of my life. I have been told I should disown myself for simply having a slightly better life than others, for looking a certain way. I am not allowed to be happy because I have a loving family and amazing friends. I need to struggle and feel like I am worthless. 

 I would say the one place where I see and have learned the best way to respect was at kung fu. I was treated as a human who had potential and was not forced to think in any particular way. I was giving the respect to make that choice to be better and learn from my mistakes. Opportunity to learn how to be a respectable person and how to give others respect. I Learned ways to help respect myself and I learned to show gratitude for earning respect. 

  

Sifu Langner