Respect

Written by cycleguy on July 1st, 2010

After I started blogging I “met” a lady who had an unusual way of signing off.  She would say, “Dangerous prayers have been said for you today.”  Her husband was ordained and they moved to another town in Texas where he could begin a preaching ministry so her blogging and commenting has slowed down.  (She keeps trying to get me on FaceBook though).  Occasionally she records a blog and she recently wrote one you can read here. One thing I have noticed about Camey’s blogs is that they are always encouraging and thought-provoking.  After reading the most current one, I also read a quote that really stuck with me.  It is the inspiration for this post. Here is the quote:

“I’m not concerned  with your liking or disliking me.  All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”  Jackie Robinson

I realize that Mr. Robinson’s quote was primarily focused on the issue that he had to deal with: racism.   When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, even his own teammates had trouble with him.  I can remember there was a time in his career when he was being booed and a teammate (I think it was Phil Rizzuto) came up and put his arm around him.  Jackie said that was the turning point for him.  I was talking to someone just the other day about where I grew up (in the projects in West Mifflin, PA).  I knew very little back then about the white/black issue although as I look back I see the housing issue as clear as day.

But this post is not about that, it is about respect.  We all want or need to be respected.  No one wants to be “dissed” or put off as unimportant.  We want to matter.  We want our opinions to matter.  We want our thoughts to matter.  We want what we do to matter.  We want respect from others.  We all need encouragement (i.e. Camey’s post).  I know, as a pastor, that respect and encouragement go a long way in my  book.

What are your thoughts?  How important is respect to you?  Does it affect your modus operandi when you do/don’t get it?  I hope you will share some thoughts with me/us.

 

18 Comments so far ↓

  1. jasonS says:

    I guess respect is not one of those things I think about much UNTIL I feel disrespected. Then I can’t stop thinking about it. I believe you’re right though- a little can go a very long way.

    Also there’s a lesson of sowing and reaping. If we want to have respect then we must give it too. Thanks Bill. I appreciate your thoughts here.

  2. Kim says:

    Interesting.

    I think when I am getting appreciation I try even harder. I am so happy to have someone pleased with what I’m doing or saying, I want more of it, so I work all the more.

    But if I’m not getting that appreciation, I scramble trying to tweak of fix it just so in a desperate attempt to get people to like it. The result of the scramble is rarely good thus it is almost a self-perpetuating cycle.

    I do believe that may be a leftover blot from my poor self-image I had as a teen. Didn’t even really realize it was there until just now as I was thinking about it.

    So I thank you for spotlighting yet another area I need to work on 🙂

  3. cycleguy says:

    Jason: I think you are right. I don’t go around saying, “Respect me. Respect me.” but when I am not then I think about it. Thanks for stopping by.

  4. cycleguy says:

    Kim: Understand the try harder thing. It is common in many of us. I also believe many of us are haunted by our past self-image, especially if it was poor. Was that a tongue I saw in your cheek? 🙂

  5. Ike says:

    The Phillies have had so many injuries.. they are basically playing their second string…BUT.. it should be no problem against the pathetic Pirates. Is that “respect”?

  6. Kim says:

    haha… might have been at that moment… there is after all a moment of discomfort when someone shine a light in your eyes.

    But I sincerely appreciate the reminders and help I always get from your blog. It’s all part of the growing process.

  7. cycleguy says:

    Ike: That is a low blow. 😀

  8. cycleguy says:

    Kim: You are right. Sometimes it is uncomfortable at times. Thanks for the kind words. I want to direct people to your blog as well.

  9. Ike says:

    Oops….Pirates win:-)Serves me right!!

  10. cycleguy says:

    Ike: what can I say? As soon as I brag they will go on a 10 game losing streak again.

  11. Respect is the key to successful relationships.

    I will not tolerate relationships with disrespectful people.

  12. Pinky says:

    Well, it sure affected me this year. When I felt disrespected at my job, and nothing I did changed it, I decided it was time to go…after 14 years. It was hard but I believe the right decision. I am surprised how much I DON’T miss it! People want to be HEARD too, especially if they feel they never have been heard in their childhood. Have a great day! Pinky

  13. Jim F. says:

    I agree with Jason on this – it is not until I have been disrespected that I really think about respect.

    It is something we all want to have but not everyone is willing to work for – we just want it because. I see respect as something being earned.

  14. Jaycee (E.A) says:

    Hmmmm…RESPECT. A “heart” issue. It irks me when people fail to give respect to whom it is due. But one thing I have to mention is that respect is something that is often earned.

    Some people are so offensive that after a while, even if your heart wants to respect them, the respect eventually goes down the drain.

  15. cycleguy says:

    Bernard: I am with you on not tolerating a disrespectful relationship.

  16. cycleguy says:

    Pinky: you commented elsewhere about leaving a job. I believe it sounds like you did the right thing. No one should be allowed to strip another person of self-respect. Glad you got out. Least you can look back and say, “I tried.”

  17. cycleguy says:

    Jim: I too agree with Jason. I don’t go around craving it or looking for it but when slammed I realize its importance. Thanks for stopping by.

  18. cycleguy says:

    Jaycee: No argument on this end about your last statement. And the one thing I did not mention in my post is that respect is earned not demanded.