Respect is not earned

Thomas Jefferson said, “Sir, I will treat you as a gentleman, not because you are one, but because I am one.”

Others shouldn’t have to earn your respect.   Give it freely, regardless of the respect that you receive.

Why?  Because everyone has worth as a human being and deserves our respect.

You don’t have to like everyone and you don’t have to have to agree with them.  Their opinions may make your blood boil and their actions may make you cringe.

Treating people with respect does not mean that you endorse their ideas or behaviors.  It means that you are willing to show respect to an individual without respecting their actions and decisions.

Treating others with disrespect says nothing about their character, but everything about yours.

Discovering your reputation