Respect

In today's "all about me" society, this is a word I feel very few people fully understand the meaning of. People no longer seem to care about how or what they do to impact someone else. When I hear or think of this word, the first thing that comes to mind is how I can show it towards others. That is just how I was raised and how I've tried to raise my children. I've done my best to give it and not expect it in return. And I sure don't expect it as my God given right.

As the saying goes, it is earned not demanded. The ways I try to give respect are so engrained in me that breaking it down into actions is difficult. One of the most important to me is respecting our flag during a national anthem. It's one of my favorite parts of going to Cass' basketball games. Sometimes when they play with the boys, they wait until the start of the boys game to play it. I always feel like something is undone when they do it in that order. The same was true when Cass played JV ball.

When the anthem is playing, most everyone is respectful. If only we could all take a snapshot of our behavior during that timeframe and display it in all things we do, it would be a better world. No talking, hats off, stand at attention, hand over heart, singing the words in our head silently. Some of us have loved ones that have fought for our freedoms or maybe even lost their lives in doing so. I can think of no other situation that commands more attention than honoring our flag and anthem. I'm glad it is a tradition we still insist upon.

That's ceremonial respect. Almost forced upon us at a young age in schools. It does make me wonder what will happen to our society when those of us that remember reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag in school are all gone. If I think respect is nearly non existent now, I can only imagine what I'll think then. I feel some of what I see in society today can be attributed to that already.

Every day actions are saying please, thank you, you're welcome. You know, manners. Or how about holding a door open for someone, making eye contact and smiling, saying a greeting of good morning or afternoon. Again, things I wasn't ever specifically taught by someone that I should do, but things I saw being done around me and mimicked. How will our children and grandchildren ever know about these customs of respect from the way we behave in today's world?

Other actions that are extremely important are being honest, being punctual, and honoring your commitments. And if some unfortunate circumstance occurs that you break any of those three, you truly apologize and accept responsibility and accountability for it. And the unfortunate circumstance wasn't some self serving deed that was more important than any of those three.

I continue to do the respectful things I've been taught because its the right thing to do. I don't do it because I'll get something in return. I don't do it because anyone expects me to. I do it because I was raised right and it was a social norm. I hope you will stop to think of the ways you are being respectful, and even disrespectful, and take notice. Make amends where necessary and see if you don't feel better for it.