Respect is something that is developed and nurtured. Respect for one’s self and for others is a valued asset that should not be under appreciated.
Respecting others is often easier to do than taking care of ourselves. When we respect others, we show them that they are important to us. Wikipedia describes respect as “a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Etc.) However that shows up, it means a lot to the other person. This respect shows up in a variety of ways and most of them go without words. Being kind is a show of respect. Working within someone’s boundaries is a show of respect. Being punctual and on time for appointments is a way to show that you respect that person and appreciate their time.
Self respect can be a more difficult matter. What is self respect? It appears in the way we take care of our selves, how we present to others. In the way of showing care for others and their wants and needs, we are also showing love and respect for ourselves.
Things that we do for ourselves may appear to us or others as being self-indulgent. However demonstrating to others that we value ourselves and our own happiness is a great way to show that as we value ourselves, we can also value others.
The following is a list of things that we can and should do for ourselves to show respect for body, mind and soul:
☼ Meditate or pray daily. Getting into our spiritual selves is important to peace and happiness. As we meditate more (and more often) we get to a place of stillness and self love and appreciation.
☼ Cultivate good, upstanding friends. Association with loving souls helps us to build our own self esteem. We adapt to our environment, so create a healthy, respectful circle of friends.
☼ Exercise regularly. Taking time for ourselves to move and relieve stress is a great way to respect ourselves and maintain good health.
☼ Play often. Let your self go and just do something fun.
☼ Eat healthy foods. This may not seem to be a way to respect one’s self, but fueling the body with live foods and avoiding processed foods tells your body down to the cellular level that it is loved and respected for what it does continually. If you cannot or do not eat well, consider supplementing with vitamins and proteins.
Find other ways to develop a sense of respect for yourself and for those around you. I think you will begin to see your life change for the better.