Respect tends to be a word that is used in different ways with a similar definition. One view is that respect is earned by another person by their actions, words and character. Another view is that respect is how I treat others because of who I am. I think this is an important difference. The view we take impacts our treatment of others tremendously.
My view is that the way I treat others is based upon who I am. Because of my character, my integrity I treat every person around me – whether they are doing right or wrong, trustworthy or not, honest or not, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, young or old, or any other characteristic – with respect. Though another may be disrespectful of me it doesn’t change who I am. I will still be a person who is respectful of others.
It may be that the view of respect being earned is really talking about trust or reputation. Respecting anther doesn’t mean I trust them with what I value. To trust you I have to know you. Reputation is one’s history of character. If you have a good character over a time you earn the reputation of one who has integrity. Your reputation does change how you are treated and trusted.
Ultimately, respecting others is a result of who I am. That’s the reputation I want to earn.
