Do you assume others deserve your respect even before you know them? If not, you may be hurting yourself. Learning to respect others benefits you and those around you. Put the following suggestions into practice and you may find that respecting others, even when it’s tough, is worth the effort.
What is respect?
Respect is showing consideration for another person, even if they are very different from you. Respect acknowledges that those who offend you might have reasons that deserve your compassion.
You may find it hard to excuse others for their behavior. If so, bear in mind that they could act that way because of problems or past trauma.
Role models
You likely had your first lessons on respect as a child. Children learn from their parents’ behavior. If your parents were stingy with respect, you could be just like them.
What if you are the one who either had unmet needs or poor role models? It’s not too late to work on a new attitude and approach toward others.
Practicing respect
Respect is all about regard for others and your environment. The hardest first step in learning respect is to take your focus off of yourself. You also might practice the following:
- Commit to the golden rule. Treat others as you desire to be treated.
- Show respect for nature and your surroundings.
- Say “please” and “thank you” whenever you can.
- Remind yourself that the other person is worthy of your kindness because he is a person.
- Use a calm voice.
- Smile at others. It can help lift their bad moods.
- Celebrate differences between you and others. Don’t expect everyone to be the same.
- Throw out thoughts that judge, size up, or criticize others.
- Tell yourself that you can’t read minds. You don’t know what issues others might have.
- Become more aware of people around you and how you can help them.
- Let someone else be first, right, in the spotlight, etc.
- Be the first to say “I’m sorry.”
- Stop demanding respect from others as much. Give it to others.
Challenging cases
Practicing respect is fairly easy when you deal mostly with sweet, courteous people. But what if there is a person in your life who seems to thrive on making you miserable? Try these ideas:
- Keep perspective. In the heat of the moment, ask yourself, “Ten years from now, how important will this be to me?”
- Try a new outlook. See that person as a challenge to strengthen your skills of respect and forgiveness.
- Choose to be kind. It is powerful to be kind instead of lashing out in anger.
Letting go of bitterness is better for your health and your happiness. There’s also hope that the irksome person will imitate your respect.
If your efforts to respect others fail and you find it hard to make friends or get along with people, seek the help of a counselor, clergyman, or mental health professional. You might want to call the toll-free number on this site for help, or to locate a mental health therapist.
Do you assume others deserve your respect even before you know them? If not, you may be hurting yourself. Learning to respect others benefits you and those around you. Put the following suggestions into practice and you may find that respecting others, even when it’s tough, is worth the effort.
What is respect?
Respect is showing consideration for another person, even if they are very different from you. Respect acknowledges that those who offend you might have reasons that deserve your compassion.
You may find it hard to excuse others for their behavior. If so, bear in mind that they could act that way because of problems or past trauma.
Role models
You likely had your first lessons on respect as a child. Children learn from their parents’ behavior. If your parents were stingy with respect, you could be just like them.
What if you are the one who either had unmet needs or poor role models? It’s not too late to work on a new attitude and approach toward others.
Practicing respect
Respect is all about regard for others and your environment. The hardest first step in learning respect is to take your focus off of yourself. You also might practice the following:
- Commit to the golden rule. Treat others as you desire to be treated.
- Show respect for nature and your surroundings.
- Say “please” and “thank you” whenever you can.
- Remind yourself that the other person is worthy of your kindness because he is a person.
- Use a calm voice.
- Smile at others. It can help lift their bad moods.
- Celebrate differences between you and others. Don’t expect everyone to be the same.
- Throw out thoughts that judge, size up, or criticize others.
- Tell yourself that you can’t read minds. You don’t know what issues others might have.
- Become more aware of people around you and how you can help them.
- Let someone else be first, right, in the spotlight, etc.
- Be the first to say “I’m sorry.”
- Stop demanding respect from others as much. Give it to others.
Challenging cases
Practicing respect is fairly easy when you deal mostly with sweet, courteous people. But what if there is a person in your life who seems to thrive on making you miserable? Try these ideas:
- Keep perspective. In the heat of the moment, ask yourself, “Ten years from now, how important will this be to me?”
- Try a new outlook. See that person as a challenge to strengthen your skills of respect and forgiveness.
- Choose to be kind. It is powerful to be kind instead of lashing out in anger.
Letting go of bitterness is better for your health and your happiness. There’s also hope that the irksome person will imitate your respect.
If your efforts to respect others fail and you find it hard to make friends or get along with people, seek the help of a counselor, clergyman, or mental health professional. You might want to call the toll-free number on this site for help, or to locate a mental health therapist.
Do you assume others deserve your respect even before you know them? If not, you may be hurting yourself. Learning to respect others benefits you and those around you. Put the following suggestions into practice and you may find that respecting others, even when it’s tough, is worth the effort.
What is respect?
Respect is showing consideration for another person, even if they are very different from you. Respect acknowledges that those who offend you might have reasons that deserve your compassion.
You may find it hard to excuse others for their behavior. If so, bear in mind that they could act that way because of problems or past trauma.
Role models
You likely had your first lessons on respect as a child. Children learn from their parents’ behavior. If your parents were stingy with respect, you could be just like them.
What if you are the one who either had unmet needs or poor role models? It’s not too late to work on a new attitude and approach toward others.
Practicing respect
Respect is all about regard for others and your environment. The hardest first step in learning respect is to take your focus off of yourself. You also might practice the following:
- Commit to the golden rule. Treat others as you desire to be treated.
- Show respect for nature and your surroundings.
- Say “please” and “thank you” whenever you can.
- Remind yourself that the other person is worthy of your kindness because he is a person.
- Use a calm voice.
- Smile at others. It can help lift their bad moods.
- Celebrate differences between you and others. Don’t expect everyone to be the same.
- Throw out thoughts that judge, size up, or criticize others.
- Tell yourself that you can’t read minds. You don’t know what issues others might have.
- Become more aware of people around you and how you can help them.
- Let someone else be first, right, in the spotlight, etc.
- Be the first to say “I’m sorry.”
- Stop demanding respect from others as much. Give it to others.
Challenging cases
Practicing respect is fairly easy when you deal mostly with sweet, courteous people. But what if there is a person in your life who seems to thrive on making you miserable? Try these ideas:
- Keep perspective. In the heat of the moment, ask yourself, “Ten years from now, how important will this be to me?”
- Try a new outlook. See that person as a challenge to strengthen your skills of respect and forgiveness.
- Choose to be kind. It is powerful to be kind instead of lashing out in anger.
Letting go of bitterness is better for your health and your happiness. There’s also hope that the irksome person will imitate your respect.
If your efforts to respect others fail and you find it hard to make friends or get along with people, seek the help of a counselor, clergyman, or mental health professional. You might want to call the toll-free number on this site for help, or to locate a mental health therapist.