Hi, its great to see you here again!
The dictionary definition of the word respect is somewhat complex. It includes admiration as well as the taking into consideration of another person’s wishes or to use the dictionary’s actual words: “a courteous regard for people’s feelings”.
It can also include obedience, when referring to child/parent relationships.
When we respect someone, we can look up to them and/or we can do something that may not be a normal choice for us, but we know that the other person would prefer it.
Respect For Those Around You.
For example, you may prefer to have the TV up so loud you can’t hear anything else when you are watching it. The noise does not bother you.
However out of respect for your parents, your wife/husband or whoever is around you, you turn it down when they are in the house because you know the noise does annoy them.
You have a courteous regard for their comfort.
Respect Between Neighbors
I have a neighbor right now who seems to be deaf 
His TV and games are up so loud at times, I can’t even stay in the room that is adjacent to their apartment when their TV is turned up to to the full (well at least it sounds like it is turned up to the max
He likes to keep his front door open (yes we are enjoying beautiful fall weather right now). When he thinks I am away his TV is a free show for all the neighbors.
However, as soon as he sees me coming up the stairs he turns his sound machine way down.
That is respect (also known as common courtesy). He shows he is making an effort to be considerate.
Guess what? There are times when Dad and the kids are playing with their Wii through the wall (which by the way IS very well insulated) and they get excited – LOUDLY excited.
Do I get mad?
No! I am glad to hear Dad and kids playing together, and so out of respect for their family relationships, I just go into another room for the 30-60 minutes that their game lasts.
The key here is that a GOOD relationships requires some give and take! 100% on both sides in fact!
Considering A Friend’s Conscience
You could have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic and you may traditionally drink a glass of wine with your meal. However, you don’t want to trip up your friend in any way.
The key here is that you don’t HAVE to have a glass of wine with your meal. Sure it would enhance your meal especially if you have chosen a meat dish, but you know your example could be a temptation to your friend if you ordered wine.
So out of respect (consideration) for your friend you make the “sacrifice” and choose a glass of grape or mixed berry juice instead.
The health and well being of your friend means more to you than enjoying a glass of wine with your meal on this occasion. You have a courteous regard for their safety, their well being and their conscience.
Respect or Double Standards?
I like to drink red wine with a meal, especially if the meal includes a meat dish. In fact red wine helps my digestion and blood. However, I am very careful not to trip up some of my friends who are offended with any alcohol at all, and I never take a glass of wine when I am with them.
Is this a “double standard”:??
No, I simply know that their conscience (or mindset) cannot accept such liberties, so out of respect for them and their conscience, I refrain when dining with them.
Respect For Our Parents Kept Us Out Of a Lot Of Problems.
I am very grateful for the respect our parents brought us up with. This held both my sister and me steady though our teenage years.
Many of the things that most teenagers get into, we did not even think of doing as it would have hurt our parents. This is respect
Now, before you start getting thinking I am advocating that showing respect is the same as allowing another person to control our lives, I am NOT. To repect another person does NOT mean you allow them to control you (I will expound on this area in future articles.
Checklist:
- Do I really show respect for those around me?
- Are there some ways I could show more respect?
- Are there some things I do that I know annoy those around me, yet even though I don’t really need to do these things, I do anyway?
- What could I do to show more respect to those around me?
Note down some of your answers to these questions.
Now go out and DO them!
May All Your Relationships be Successful!
