Today's Thought - August

[bluidkiti]

August 3

Similar to love, forgiveness, and trust, respect is not something we can really engender from others until we have, ourselves, consumed from this special wellspring. What are the most important elements involved in respecting ourselves? We look up to, and think highly of, who we are inside and how our positive qualities manifest in the outer world. We honor our own esteem and treat with reverence our very existence. We admire our being, because of—and in spite of—our imperfections.

Respect permeates thoughts, feelings, and actions toward oneself or another. And most important, it is the foundation of us walking our talk. When we live a life that embraces respect, we keep our word to ourselves. In order for a hero to inspire the respect of others, he must be worthy, possess a certain dignity, and consistently act in ways that are in line with his values. Respect conjures images of politeness, civility, courtesy, being well mannered and friendly—all qualities worthy of cultivation. But this social veneer is less important than the more essential essence of being thoughtful, sensitive, and considerate. More than the demands of a polite society, respect speaks to a genuine, open-hearted caring for other humans.

I fill the well of self-respect when I do what I say I will do.

Today's reading is from the book Cornerstones, Daily Meditations for the Journey into Manhood and Recovery