I grew up as the daughter of a military officer, which meant I learned a great deal about respect as a child. Even if one doesn’t agree with their commanding officer, they better show them some respect. At a young age, that term “show some respect” was ingrained in me.
But as I grew older, I found that the respect I was expected to show others was often not what I was given in return. And I also learned that respect should be a two-way street. You expect me to respect you, then you should also be expected to show me respect as well. Otherwise, the relationship is hypocritical and not worth trying to keep.
Respect is given, but it also needs to be earned. And that goes both ways.
It’s difficult to give respect sometimes, especially when we have a certain narrative that plays in our head. It’s difficult to give respect when others continually push against our boundaries or treat us like a door mat for their feet instead of a human being. It’s difficult to give respect when the other person continually disrespects us to the point that we feel invisible.
But that’s the point of respect anyway.
The word comes from the same root word as spectacle and introspect and all sorts of words using the root spect. To see. And respect means to consider the other person. It means to see the person for who they are, not who you expect them to be. And sometimes, that little bit of respect goes a long way.
But on the flip side, when we ask for a bit of respect, we’re treated as if we’re asking for something offensive. We are called whiney and snowflakes. We’re teased with “Ok, boomer” and reminded that we need to “respect our elders” even if they constantly put us down. We are told we haven’t earned respect, as if it’s something tangible that needs to be rationed. We are made to feel less than for simply being asked to be called by our name or treated as human instead of garbage. And we’re looked at funny if we stand up for others and are asking for a little respect for all people.
Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.
In this day and age, when people are looking for a way to dehumanize others and make them invisible, show a little respect. It’s all anyone is asking for.
Just a little bit. Sock it to all of us.
Stay magical, friends.
Write your own story.
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K. S. Wood Writes 
Very nice blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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