Positivity: Respect

There are many people deserving of respect.

Status does not matter.  Social standing is unimportant.  It is actions that command respect.  Whether it is a trauma doctor saving a dying patient, a soldier defending her country, a teacher educating children or a plumber keeping your basement dry, the service they perform is deserving of respect.

We have become somewhat jaded as a nation when it comes to this.  Discussions about bad pay and overpayment and benefits or a lack thereof cloud the importance of the people who perform these jobs.  We get so caught up in the negative news about the latest scandal or scam or what-have-you that we do not see the majority, the countless good people who deserve our respect for jobs well done.

Respect is earned.  It is not a blanket emotion given on a whim or at the drop of a hat, but it is earned.  There are many ways in which a person might earn the respect of others, some grand and some simple.  Nevertheless, those who do earn respect deserve it.

Memorial Day is intended to remember the brave who have sacrificed their time, their health and sometimes even their lives to protect freedom and the people they love.  This can be hard to give attention to with all the barbecues and sales and other commercial applications of the day.

That is not to say that there should be no barbecues and sales and commercial applications on this day – those we are remembering did what they have done to that we can enjoy these freedoms and as such we should celebrate.  This, however, should not be the only day we show them the respect they have earned.

I personally could never have been a soldier.  There are numerous examples in my life showing where I don’t do so well with authority, and giving voice where I see foolishness and stupidity.  But I have tremendous respect for those who can and do serve, and to them I say well done.

Beyond those we think of on this holiday, we should give more regular consideration to everyone who earns respect.  I can think of no one who does not appreciate being thanked for their service, whatever it may be, and to get respect it is imperative to give it.  Additionally, do not neglect that you should respect yourself.  When you can respect yourself, you can more easily respect others.  A more respectful world is a more positive world.

Finding positivity is not hard, it just requires action.  Knowing that there are many who have earned and deserve your respect, it is good to show them your appreciation in whatever way you can.  When we are more respectful of everyone, ourselves included, we are more positive.  Respect begets respect, and we can use this to create a better, happier, more positive world.  When you have more respect for yourself and you share it with others, you generate for all the world around you more Positivity.  Positive attitude begets positive energy, and that is always a good thing.

This is the seventeenth entry of my Positivity series.  It is my hope these weekly messages might help spread positive energies for everyone.  Feel free to re-blog and spread the positivity.