So I've got cottage cheese hands right now. It's kinda gross ish, but it's because I'm cold.
Anyway! It's winter break! Woooo! Christmas was good, etc. etc.
Ah, to think of the important stuff. I've been playing guitar like, nonstop almost. I've been having panic attacks semi-regularly. Oh, my doctor changed my meds last time I went which was about two weeks ago? Two and a half? I can't remember. But she changed my meds. I've been playing backgammon like crazy and I haven't been sleeping worth a darn.
So that is pretty much my life. I will make a sincere effort to post more often and let you know what's going on as it's happening.
My rant today is on respect. Respect is something that a lot of people lack and something that even more expect to get without earning it.
In my opinion, respect -must- be earned, no matter who you are. Granted, a certain baseline measure of respect is granted to all people because they are human, all objects because they have worth to somebody, all animals because they have feelings, and all of nature because it is a complicated web that is heavily cause and effect and food chain. You don't screw up the food chain. Period.
Back to respect. There's a baseline measure of respect, right? For the most part, that stays the same from human to human. Don't kill each other, don't eat each other's food without permission, don't pee in people's shoes, etc. That's just kind of expected.
However, after that baseline, respect needs to be earned. Respect can be given to a stranger in a large amount because they are a stranger and you expect them to give you the same amount. If that does not happen, you adjust your level and keep going.
What frustrates me are the people who think that they can disrespect people and get away with it, especially people in authority positions. I think some parents think that just because they're parents, they deserve a giant amount of respect. I agree with this, to a degree. Parents are parents, and even if you don't agree with them, you need to do as they say.
The problems come when parents scream at their kids constantly, and expect them not to scream back. Parents need to treat their kids like human beings. If you don't like someone to do something to you, WHY do you do it to your kids? I mean, sometimes, it's necessary. You don't like people scolding you, but you have to scold your kids. Okay, sure. That makes sense. But if you don't like someone interrupting you when you're speaking or rolling their eyes, then why do you do it?
I've seen this happen more than once with more than one family. The parents (normally lazy micro-managers themselves) mock the children and scream and yell and expect the kids to sit there and take it, and then do -exactly- what the parents say. That's not how it works! If you don't give your kids that baseline amount of respect, they're not going to give it to you.
And here lies a big problem for a lot of people. They don't give the people they love respect, so why should they respect people they -don't- love or even themselves? Respect is a big deal.
I challenge everyone to think before they act. Seriously think about how you treat the people in your life that you love dearly and put yourself in their shoes. Objectively decide whether you treat them the way they want to be treated or if you're not treating them well. Even if they don't treat you with respect, try and be nice to them for just a day or two, even if it's hard. You may be surprised at the outcome.
I, personally, have to remember to respect David. I love him to death, but sometimes I can get mean. I try to give my mother respect, but it's not too difficult because she gives it to me, first.
So there is your homework. My homework for now is to work on loving myself for who I am. It's difficult, but every day I get better at it. Today, I looked in the mirror and thought, "I look beautiful today," without scolding myself or saying something mean to myself about being vain. I just looked good today. Period. I'm getting closer to my goal every day.
No comments:
Post a Comment