IntRESPECTive introspective

Ever notice recurring themes within your world, within your week? I feel that this week, a single word keeps lingering in my psyche, racing towards my lips. Respect.

In Miriam-Webster:

Definition of RESPECT

1: a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation
2: an act of giving particular attention : consideration
3
a : high or special regard : esteem
b : the quality or state of being esteemed
c plural : expressions of high or special regard or deference
4: particular, detail


Someone once told me that respect comes from understanding, accepting, approving. I believe this type of thinking can be incomplete. It is easy for us to love our neighbor if our neighbor believes what we believe, attends our church, keeps his yard and his life tidy. It's easy to be friends with the kid who looks like you do and listens to the same tunes and follows (or breaks) the same rules. If we say we understand what they do because we do it too, is that complete? What if the other person doesn't look the way you look? Like what you like? Love whom you love? Are they less deserving of what is fair and proper? Do their differences justify ostracism? Abuse? Can we find a way to understand what they are feeling? Accept them in spite of our differences? or better yet~ not in spite of our differences but because of them?

Teaching our children about bullying and how to prevent it in all forms has become quite a daunting task but can begin with the very simple approach of modeling appropriate behavior.
This week, all across America, some schools and youth groups participated in a No Name Calling campaign designed by the GSLEN to bring awareness to and eventually an end to bullying. The Boy Scouts of America, generally at odds with the LGBT community, participated as well. This was considered to be a hopeful gesture by GSLEN and was publicly acknowledged as such. Two groups with varying opinions responding respectfully to each others efforts. Well played.

Also in the news this past week, a girl from California, identifying herself as a Girl Scout, publicly voiced her own disapproval over GSUSA allowing transgender youth into the program and, called for a ban on Girl Scout Cookie sales. GSUSA held their ground, defending their position.(Brava, ladies)
"For 100 years, Girl Scouts has prided itself on being an inclusive organization serving girls from all walks of life. We handle cases involving transgender children on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on ensuring the welfare and best interests of the child in question and the other girls in the troop as our highest priority," a Girl Scouts spokeswoman told the New York Daily News.
However, many chose to publicly defame the girl, calling her inappropriate names and insinuating violent behavior against her. Although I give a big "thumbs down" to what I consider her misinformation and bias, I give a double "thumbs down" to people who feel it is ok to react with vulgarity and ill-will.
Then I reflect upon the 16 year old Rhode Island girl who sued to have a prayer banner removed from her high school. The banner had been displayed for over 50 years, placed there by the first graduating class of the school. If the administration had forced her to recite it everyday would be one thing but it is meant to be an inspiration, not an insult. I believe suing the school is a tad bit towards the grand-standing side of things. The supposed "Christian" reaction of death threats, obscenities and bullying embarrassed me though. I consider myself Christian. I would be ashamed to behave that way. Thumbs down to all parties involved here. I hope my "thumbs" are not too indicative of disrespect...behave people.

Live and Let Live can be a tricky line to walk when things get emotional.

This week a friend of mine posted on his Facebook page a status that I viewed as a lovely sentiment. A "shout it from the rooftops" type post encouraging others to do the same. I followed suit. It was in reference to my marriage, the wonderful man I married and how long we had been married. Granted, when I did repost I even thought twice. I'm not a huge fan of the "repost this" chain-letter type statuses but this one wasn't promising wealth and power if you did or doom and destruction if you didn't so I did it. It was later that I realized how this might feel to many people whom I love and adore who may not share in that sentiment...or can't because unjust laws won't allow them to.

I've finally come to the conclusion that yes, it IS a sweet sentiment (if somewhat sappy) and I AM proud of it. Most people who know who I am and what I believe know I wasn't posting out of belligerence although ignorance could be pleaded.

I guess what has really put me in this "mood" today is how I have viewed people treating other people this week. At home, At work, Nationally, Globally. From my perspective, we all need to work on this Respect thing. A little more thinking before we speak, write, act(?) It might not be such a bad thing.