You don't have to agree with someone, but it is important to be respectful.
A Moral Compass
Most of us will have a moral compass guided by our own values, but that doesn’t mean others will be guided by our values and that's okay. Respect is never a given, but it's not for us to comment or pass an opinion on someone, unless they have done something to us and we have reason to.
When you withhold respect, you are implying others are not worthy of your respect and that may trigger a decline and a response. Once you start to believe someone is unworthy of respect, the floodgates to abuse open.
Respect is the Glue
Respect is important because it’s the glue that holds friendships, family and society together. Having respect means you'll pass that on. It also means you respect yourself. Having and receiving respect is universal. It helps keep people safe.
The Universal Rules of the Road
When you follow the universal rules of the road, regardless of how others behave towards you, you should still give respect to others. Just know their actions are a conversation with the universe and nothing to do with you.
Whatever someone does they are accountable to themselves and the universe. We shouldn't forget about the universe.
Most of the time I try to treat people the way I want to be treated, but they don't always return the favor.
I grew up in a world where we were looked down upon because we were French and considered to be 'poor white trash' by my mother's family, which gave me a lot of the complexes that I still struggle with today.
I was reminded of that yesterday when a guy tried to drive off without paying for a couple of boxes of my wood, and I was more annoyed because he acted like I wasn't even standing there watching him do it.
Nothing worse for me than to be treated like I'm invisible when I know I'm obviously not. I'm sure that would end up being the subject of one of many books that I could write.
You just reminded me that not everyone is guided by my moral compass. That explains why my respect for certain people has collapsed. My position is rigid.
With that considered, do you think I could ever return respect again?
Yes, it is the right thing to do. A moral compass is there for a reason. There is no moral compass, the old fashioned values are now long gone.
You will always return respect Tim, it's how you are, but in terms of friends and family, you have to do what's right for you.
Just don't concern yourself or worry about it.
Well, I still have old fashioned values; respect for others, empathy, compassion and selflessness. When people fail to live up to those standards, it's too painful for me to respect. Our relationship will be like oil and water.
Of course, I'm not looking for angels because I'm not an angel, just people who closely align to what's right.
There is nothing wrong with your values Tim. You don't have to make excuses for 'doing what's right' in terms of what the 'universe' expects.
You also have a right to choose the company you keep. I find it sad that we don't all choose to have empathy, compassion and be selfless.
You may not get everything right and you may not be an angel, but if more people were in alignment with your values, which are part of the 'universal codes' the world would look and feel different.
Keep doing what you're doing Tim. 'I'm not looking for angels because I'm not an angel, just people who closely align to what's right' - yes that is absolutely right.
They must raise themselves and they can. We all can, you mustn't bow down to pressure or stoop to their level. It's not how this works.
Thanks Randy. Yes, whoever did this is on him. Again don't concern yourself about it. It hasn't gone unnoticed.
We can't concern ourselves on what others do, only ourselves and whilst it's annoying and not 'called for' they must answer to the universe.
My position is simple, treat others the way you wish them to treat you. But this works both ways, cross those lines and don't expect respect unless you have learnt it.
Yes, your position may be simple, but it is absolutely right. Respect is something earned, it's not a given.
It's something we should have all learnt.
Brad's comment is spot on, respect is earned.
But we should know naturally that we should respect others, unless our normal mode of consciousness is corrupt. We see that playing out a lot today.
Tim your response is also spot on. Where you say, 'unless our normal mode of consciousness is corrupt' - yes whether we consciously know we're doing it or not, that is exactly what is playing out.
I think it's time we think about things. We're not getting this right and need to.