It’s easy to respect people that we admire, that we see as worthy of respect. Respect, after all, is earned. But what if respect was simply our default position? What if we showed respect to others, not because of their behaviour, their skills or their personality, but simply because they are a child of God. Loved. Redeemed. Chosen.
As humans, we have a tendency to reciprocate or mirror behaviour. If someone smiles, we smile back. If someone yells at us, we yell back. If someone treats us with respect, we are more likely to treat them with respect.
Michelle Obama is quoted as saying, ‘When they go low, we go high'. What she is referring to is when you are faced with conflict and challenges from others, you can reciprocate and respond with fear, disrespect and intolerance OR you can go high. Going high means having the confidence and courage to look at the bigger picture and then behave in a way that reflects an unselfish, compassionate character.
We have the power to change the world. What a great world we could create if we chose to go high by showing respect to others, even when they don’t deserve it.
Show respect even when people don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours. – Dave Willis
Mrs Deb Cooper
Principal
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