About Respect

Mr Walsh uttered the word clearly. “Respect”. The word sunk in. Very deeply. Respect. It really was that simple. A single word, that could send out ripples through your life. Significant in it’s simplicity. You built a reputation based on what people saw of your behaviour, treatment of others and how you took care of those around you. It is a foundation word. As I have grown older, I have come to see the results more and more. Not only in the field of my work, but in the support shown by my true friends and my family. It builds their confidence as well as yours. Respect of your self does indeed affect how others perceive you and react. But it also means they know they can rely on you as well. They know they can ask questions without offence, they can ask for guidance and will not be judged. They respect you, and you respect them. You do not have to agree with each other (in fact at times it is better that you do not), you do however, listen, care and sometime achieve an understanding. That too, is a valuable gift to share with others. Respect affects so many areas of human behaviour, which, if engaged, and regardless of the outcomes, can only raise the standard of your humanity.

It is a struggle in many situations today. There are so many circumstances where despite the respect you may show others, they, those without self respect, will not understand. They will cheat, lie, steal, corrupt and briefly think they have done something clever. They think they have won something. They are I suppose, the real losers in life (they know who they are). They have not understood. The respect you can show crosses cultures, religions, gender, ages and class (don’t pretend we still don’t have class wars). When you respect your self, most of the rest can be ignored. It can be difficult. Other people can be very cruel, vicious, unkind, unfair and even abusive. But the ones who can come through that (and I am speaking as one who almost has) can hold their heads high. I am not without faults, indeed, I am still finding things I should apologise for in my growing up. But Mr Walsh imparted something, which has stayed with me, supported me and guided me through nearly every decision I have made since.

I was still learning when he first said this to me. It took some years to fully appreciate. It certainly made me a lot more analytical when reviewing or considering my actions. I believe I have passed on a strong belief that I respect myself, and therefore I respect other people who try to do the right thing, even in the face of great adversity. I have not reached the end of that learning by a long shot. But Mr Walsh started me on a journey, in part, of self discovery and understanding which in many ways says what a great teacher he was. Some forty plus years later, his lesson that afternoon is what has guided me to be who I am and, to be who other people see. They may not know me. They may not be close to me. But they do respect me for who they see I am. And then there was the rest of Mr Walsh’s talk.

(Continued tomorrow)