Respect…Where’s Aretha When We Need Her

I think most of us need to take a deep breath and just breathe.

What happened to respecting our leaders? No matter sex, age, economic status, religious affiliation or political viewpoint we are called to respect one another.

I truly believe in our freedom of speech. But freedom of speech shouldn’t give us liberty to hate.

You will never change someone’s mind by screaming hate in their face (or posting hate on Facebook or Twitter). But change can happen through civil dialogue.

You may say, “But I can’t speak to them! They won’t listen!”

But are you listening to them?

A dialogue is a two-way conversation. Someone won’t listen to you if you won’t listen to them.

We need to lay our weapons of scornful puns and clever gifs down on the battlefield of our own making and meet in the middle to discuss our differences. Then and only then will change ever happen.

I sometimes think I live in a dream world. A world where people can grow and mature. A place where opinions can be discussed over a cup of coffee or a bowl of ice cream. A land where freedom is appreciated and cherished.

But that isn’t how the world really is.

But I think it should be.

As Aretha used to sing, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me”

What does respect mean to you?

I think respect is listening. Listening even if you don’t agree. Honoring even if you don’t agree. Supporting even if you don’t agree. Encouraging even if you don’t agree. Praying for even if you don’t agree.

If you give a little respect…who knows, a little respect may be given back.

Let’s give it a try. What harm could it do?

Respect for one another…sounds like something Jesus said when He commanded us to love one another. Yep…we are supposed to love everyone. Even those we may disagree with. If you have a hard time respecting someone, I bet you will have a hard time loving them.

May we be more respectful to those who are unlike minded as ourselves.

Peace

__ATA.cmd.push(function() { __ATA.initDynamicSlot({ id: 'atatags-26942-61303662870d0', location: 120, formFactor: '001', label: { text: 'Advertisements', }, creative: { reportAd: { text: 'Report this ad', }, privacySettings: { text: 'Privacy', onClick: function() { window.__tcfapi && window.__tcfapi( 'showUi' ); }, } } }); });