Sunday, November 27, 2011

Respect, Responsibility and Cooperation

These are three values that our children and our society need to learn.
They can be learned from respectful, responsible and cooperative adults.
They can be modeled by those they see in the media, sports and in politics.
They can taught in our homes, educational institutions and workplaces.

Respect seems to be losing ground and waning in popularity and practice.?????
Respect is the essential building block for responsibility and true cooperation.
What would it take to remember to respect ourselves and others?
What can we do to reclaim a natural respect for one another?
How can we most effectively life a respectful, responsible and cooperative life?

What does respect look like and feel like to you?
It means taking good care of my body, my mind, my creations and my worldly business.
It means giving myself quiet time, play time and time to appreciate my life. 
It means I honor my own unique gifts, talents, values, and life choices.
It means respecting another’s space, possessions, values and choices.
It means I make agreements where no one loses.

How can we teach and model Respect for our children?
Respect other’s communication by listening with an open heart and mind.
Respect other’s values by accepting and sharing our own.
Respect other’s space by giving privacy and quiet.
Respect other’s needs by honoring and supporting.
Respect other’s creations by appreciating and enjoying.

Respect means not interfering with other’s business or life choices.
Respect means appreciating other’s rights to choose their own way.
Respect means letting people have what they want and need without criticism.
Respect means asking for permission first, before speaking, entering the room, touching others’ things.
Respect means that others can say NO without losing my love and respect.

In more respectful cultures, there is no disrespectful communication or behavior.
There is no arguing, yelling or demanding.
There is requesting permission to enter or speak.
There is honoring your elders and those with special needs.
There is never taking for granted and treating family members as you would honored guests.
There is respect for individual differences without criticism or complaint. 

I forgive myself for not remembering to respect the Gift I Am.
I forgive myself for limiting myself and others.
I forgive myself for not giving myself the time to enjoy my life fully.
I forgive myself forgetting to appreciate the mind, body and spiritual vision I have been given.

I choose to be a good steward and caretaker of all I have, all I give, all I receive and all I Am.
Respecting you and me always,
Betty Lue