Respect is 2012’s motto

Hello young world! Congratulations! You made it to 2012 in one piece; do you know that many youths your age died last year? Some got mega problems but look at you! You are alive and kicking! Today ask yourself, what did you give God to be alive? I guess your answer just like mine, Nothing! Is there anything you can offer him? The answer is yes! Allow him to be your guard and guide, love him with all your heart, respect, be obedient to your parents, and respect yourself too! Talking about respect do you know that respect is one of the important recipes you need to prosper? Do you know that respect can only be earned? Yes, it doesn’t matter if you are a Minister’s son or daughter, if you don’t respect yourself, no one can respect you! The only way to earn respect is to respect yourself and others! You must be asking yourself, “how can I respect myself?” I’m just a young boy or girl. But the truth is, no matter your age, you can respect yourself and be respected. This is how you earn and show respect! On a practical level respect includes taking someone’s feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into consideration. It means taking all of these seriously and giving them worth and value. In fact, respecting someone seems similar to valuing them and their thoughts, feelings, etc. It also includes, listening to them, being truthful with them, and accepting their individuality and habits. Respect can be shown through behavior and it can also be felt. We can act in ways which are considered respectful, yet we can also feel respect for someone and feel respected by someone. Because it is possible to act in ways that do not reflect how we really feel, the feeling of respect is more important than the behavior without the feeling. When the feeling is there, the behavior wills naturally follow.When people respect one another there are fewer conflicts and don’t we all feel better when we are respected? Remember, respect starts with you, respect yourself and you will be respected. martin.bishop18@yahoo.com