Respect For All

Seeking enlightenment is essential to our journey here on “Becoming Today”.

After all, what I’m sharing each day is aligned with “Becoming” as a noun: ‘’the process of coming to be something or of passing into a state”. Coming to be always, “Becoming”. Growing, developing and shifting into an attitude and daily practice of always, “Becoming”.

That’s the essence behind, “Becoming Today”. Our continuing focus is on the Eight Points of Light is among those. 

While it builds upon and expands some concepts we’ve previously talked about along our shared journey, it also introduced me and now I will introduce you to some amazing concepts that are already improving my life and overall levels of joy.

Contentment, rest, peace and happiness are in far greater supply and more readily available since I accepted this knowledge and leapt forward in Faith with it.

So that you will have the time and space to fully digest and reflect upon each of the points, I’ll be sharing them over the course of multiple days.

I have visualized the idea as a multi-colored flower, with eight petals. One for each point of light we have available to use and can be radiating within our environments.In the following days we’ll touch upon an individual petal and explore it’s beauty and significance. 

Let’s now expand upon the idea of Respect as it relates to our individual and collective enlightenment.

I revealed the first petal as being Compassion. “A single act of compassion can change a person’s life forever.” Making it a very Becoming quality.

Just as important is treating all, including ourselves, with dignity.

When you have chosen to live with dignity, it means you are worthy of respect. That you have achieved a state of attitude, acceptance and caring that fosters a vision of you being worthy of being held in esteem, regarded as trustworthy and dare I say “Becoming”. 

Dignity requires us to be self-confident, value our self-worth, foster our self-esteem and always be loving towards ourselves, as well as others.

Living with attitudes of being compassionate and empowering dignity allows us to transform our suffering, pain or pasts into productive, beneficial healing, growth and change.

Our next available tool is the third of the Eight Points of Light: Respect.

Formulating our shared understanding of what respect truly is, the dictionary first offers us this definition: “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements”. Then continues on with the secondary offering, which I believe should be the primary, “due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others”. 

This concept of due regard or having the best wishes for, truly desiring for a shared understanding of another can be further brought along by adding  Wikipedia’s explanation of respect, which explains “… also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities”. 

Therefore let’s choose to agree that R-E-S-P-E-C-T means accepting somebody for who they are, even though they are different from you or you may not agree with them. Respect builds trust, safety, and fosters healthy attitudes, though these emotions don’t come naturally; they are something you must learn and then share. 

Respect also involves treating others the way you want to be treated. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Traditionally recalled as “The Golden Rule”, simply put it is always being considerate of others as well as honoring their feelings, opinions, and property.

Likewise actively and deliberately practicing respect towards ourselves or embracing self-respect is being good to ourselves, holding ourselves in strong esteem, with dignity and compassion. Plus committing to  the ideas of self-discipline by making responsible choices in what we say and then taking action to achieve our personal goals, in alignment with our individual beliefs and values. For me that also means working to ensure that My thoughts, attitudes, words and actions are in accord with the Lord.

Have empathy for people, no matter what their circumstances may be.  Try your best to put yourself in their shoes. How would you want to be treated if you were living their current experience?

Listen. Intently, carefully and be accepting of what they are trying to say to you.Encourage others to share their opinions and offer input in the conversation. Remember speaking is only part of  having a discussion.

Be accepting of and validate the contributions of others. Respect gives people the space  they need to contribute in ways they feel most comfortable. Boundaries remain important. 

No gossiping, teasing, belittling, bullying or other non accepting behaviors.

Always be affirming. When you affirm someone,it’s saying and showing that they truly matter, are valued and worthy of respect. Many times this will bolster their ability to more freely practice self-respect.  

When in doubt, mirror the actions of someone you consider to be respectful. Someone who walks their talk of living with integrity.

Integrity is a foundational aspect of our personalities. It is a deeply held belief that we should be and are adhering to a strict moral code.

This oath we voluntarily undertake includes being honest with both ourselves and others; living consistent with values that are above reproach and that we must choose to be incapable of being corrupted accepting that living by these  standards in an uncommon manner increases not only our lives to new levels, but also the quality of life for all we encounter.

-Rochelle Jeanette

Without freely embracing integrity we are limiting our lives. It’s why far too many people experience simply existing rather than being rewarded with a fulfilling life. 

In order to be living with integrity each of us needs to be living by aligning your conduct with excellence. Displaying a firm dedication to our values and beliefs. Never wavering in adhering to higher standards and pledging to always attempt to do the right thing regardless of circumstances.

Notice I did say attempt, because no one is perfect. We will slip, we will make mistakes, sometimes even fall flat on our face. However when that occurs, we must decide to take the actions involved in getting up and pushing on. 

This can be supported by strengthening your inner dialogue. The conversations you have with yourself- in addition to “where did I put my keys?” and “I need…”, should be aligned with intentionally directing our actions in accordance with our individual understanding of what right and wrong is. Of how to treat others and ourselves at all times with respect

As we continue to build our momentum of “Becoming”, which always focuses on moving forward and upward, let’s go within I ask you to consider three questions:

Do you like yourself?

Do you love yourself?

Do you respect yourself?

I pray you will take  time to ponder them, reflect and release your understandings upon your actions. Living them, and gracefully acknowledging your beliefs, values and personal paths.

Accept grace, joy and wisdom. Give thanks for it with a grateful heart. 

What then? 

Keep doing it. 

What? 

Being you. 

Then you are “Becoming” the real, true, authentic you. All you were intended to be.

Still have questions, concerns, doubts or worries? Share them below.

Then join us tomorrow to learn and share in the next of our Eight Points of Light.

Number four will be… Hold on, I am not yet naming the new point. Each day I’ll focus on a petal and like the Sacred Hoop, continue on clockwise as we keep our circles of lives in forward momentum.

The discovery, learning and the ongoing  process of coming to an increased understanding of each of these eight points of light, for me, certainly has been enlightening.

I’m hopeful and praying that it will be for you as well.

Take some time to reflect upon it, as well as what answers you specifically are looking for. Whether they concern yourself, your immediate circle or a greater community, come to an understanding of what you’d like to see “Becoming”.