R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

We all can sing along to that epic song by Aretha Franklin titled “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” A few of the lyrics are:

What you want

Baby, I got

What you need

Do you know I got it?

All I'm askin'

Is for a little respect when you come home

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Take care, TCB

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/arethafranklin/respect.html

Merriam-Webster defines respect as “a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc.; a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way; a particular way of thinking about or looking at something”  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respect

I have often been amazed that the people demanding the most respect are themselves very disrespectful.  They are rude to waiters & waitresses, children, the elderly, animals, authority, even to our nation. Yet, they are the first to complain about being disrespected.

The principle of life is: “You can’t get what you don’t give.”

Again, I have observed parents allowing their children to talk to them rudely; or women allowing their boyfriend or husband to talk to them & treat them horribly and say nothing. Yet they sadly complain to others that they are being disrespected.

Another perspective is: “You can’t receive respect, if you don’t require it.”

The Bible talks about respect:

1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV): “Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor.”

2 Corinthians 5:11 (NKJV): “Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]…”

1 Thessalonians 4:12 (NKJV): “So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.”

1 Timothy 3:4 (NKJV): “He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful.”

1 Timothy 3:11(NKJV): “ [The] women likewise must be worthy of respect and serious, not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.”

Quotes to Consider:

“Respect is for those who deserve it, not for those who demand it.”

“A lack of boundaries invites a lack of respect.”

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” – Confucius

“Never give people permission to disrespect you.”

“Respect is earned not given.”

 “Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer.”

 “You must be respectable, if you are to be respected.”

  “Putting your phone away and paying attention to those talking to you? 

   There’s an APP for that. It’s called ‘RESPECT.’ “ – unknown

Again, try following the advice of Aretha Franklin: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T…find out what it means to me”…

Have RESPECT for yourself…Require it…Give it…