Self- respect and how to earn respect

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What is respect?

A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

Respect is when you admire someone like a teacher or an older family member, and you do everything in your power to impress this person and obey their rules.  You listen to your parents and you care about them.  You don’t do things that will disappoint them because you look up to them. 

To show respect to a friend, you have to treat someone like you want to be treated.  Don’t call them names and embarrass them in front of others. You show respect when you stick to the rules.  When you are in a library, you keep quiet and don’t disturb others while they are reading.  If you respect someone you don’t hurt them in any way because you care for them.  You show respect by being polite and kind.  

Kindness cost nothing.  

Self-respect  is shown when you dress appropriately and speak and act in a proper way to show that you care.  You have to care about yourself before you can respect others.  

When someone is in a difficult situation you don’t go and tell others about it, you help this person by keeping quiet and then try and help solve this issue rather than making a mockery of someone. If the person asks for privacy, don’t force this as this is disrespectful towards this person. 

How can you improve your relationships?

Whether this is a work or a personal relationship, it is important to show others that you care.  You give an overall evaluation of someone based on certain factors.  If you treat someone with respect then chances are that the favor will be returned.  Remember that positivity rubs off and if someone sees that you are positive and friendly they will also become positive.  

What is self-respect?

Self-respect is how you value yourself, look after yourself and the way you treat your body.  Once you value yourself more, you will develop a healthy level of respect towards others.  

See if you can answer yes to all these questions below:

1. Are you an honest person?

Honesty is when you have morals and ethics.  Honesty is important in any relationship.  If you are not honest with yourself then you cannot be honest with anyone else.  

2. Do you value education and knowledge?

Education helps you to get somewhere in life.  Knowledge is power.  We should always try to better ourselves and to be the best person we can be. Once you understand that knowledge is an important part of your life, then you will earn respect from others. 

3. Do you look after your body by not overdoing anything? 

Do you try to eat healthy and be active?  You only have one body.  Do what you have to do to stay as healthy as possible.  We all try new things but ultimately we don’t over indulge in drugs and alcohol or food, especially NOT if you respect your body.  

4. Are you financially responsible?

Do you put in effort to earn your own money or are you just a parasite?  Do you respect the fact that your parents work hard for their money and do you value everything they give to you?  Do you look after expensive items like computers or phones or do you just take it for granted?

5. Do you listen to your parents?

Your parents put in a lot of effort to give you what you need.  Do you respect their rules and do your part in the household with chores? Do you stick to your curve-few and do what they ask you to do?

6. Do you apologize when you are wrong about something?

If you broke a rule, do you apologize and try not to do it again? Are you just rude or do you apologize if you were wrong?  

How do you show proper respect towards others?

Just like when you show respect to yourself, you demonstrate respect for others by giving value to their being.  You make them feel good about themselves if they really deserve it. 

Listen to what others have to say or at least listen to their point of view without interrupting them. It is important to show everyone some form of respect just because it is the humane thing to do but the levels of respect will differ.  It all depends on what your viewpoint is about the other person and remember that you don’t have to take on someone else’s view just because you look up to them.  You are still your own person and you can respect their views but you don’t have to adopt them.  

Respect is earned not given....