Don't Demand Respect ! Earn it

What is respect ?. This is what Google defines respect as

a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. 

As a child growing up, I was always told to respect elders. Respect your seniors at school, relatives, and basically anyone born a nano second older than you. This is embedded into every child by parents and relatives. No matter how rude/insensitive someone is, you still have to respect them for they were born elder than you and has more life experience than you. 

Now that I am older and have seen quite a bit of life and people, this forced outlook has changed. Respect is something you earn when you interact with people and doesn't depend on who and what you are. If you read the definition again, you will notice that there is no 'age' criteria there. It is something you earn because of your qualities, the way you interact with people more than your abilities and achievements. 

I have seen two types of respect in people, respect for the sake of respect and the genuine respect. 'Respect for the sake of respect' is the kind of respect you give to people because it is the 'right' thing to do. The other one comes from within, it is genuine and priceless. The way they talk and behaves around you shows it. 

There are people who think they deserve respect because they have done something for you, Be thankful and respectful for that. The point they quote ' I have done so much for you and you should listen to me ' is the point they lose it. They are doing nothing but making you forever in debt to them, just because they helped you. This is not how respect works people !. The choices you make in life are your own, their consequences too.   

You respect everyone you meet new in your life, the way they treat you decides whether respect takes the ladder or takes the plunge. Anyone can earn your respect, a random smile, a random act of kindness. Respect doesn't discriminate, neither rich nor poor, and definitely not racist. Respect should be earned, Not something to be demanded. Treat people right and respect comes to you. 

p.s: Author doesn't claim responsibility for your deeds here after. :)