Day 103 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

So, this entry is more about respect than it is about the song by Aretha Franklin, but I just had to give props to the Queen of Soul. 
Respect, defined as "esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person; to show regard or consideration for," is a very interesting concept.  Depending on the relationships of people, there are varying levels of respect and various manifestations thereof.  I respect my mother differently than I respect my friends, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to showing consideration for the person as a human being first, then adding the proper reverence for the position that they hold in respect to our relationship.  While respect itself is not a hard concept, the way it shows up (or, more often, doesn't) can be cause for concern and conflict in relationships.  
"I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone. Ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna.  All I'm asking is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)."  My assumption is that Aretha Franklin didn't sing this song because all of her relationships were going along just great.  In my experience, a song like this comes about when a person feels that they are not receiving the proper amount of respect in a relationship.  She essentially says that she will treat her friend with respect, because she desires to, whether she's in the person's presence or not.  In return, she desires that same respect.
It seems logical enough to me to treat someone with the same respect that they treat you.  All people should be treated with a basic level of respect just because of their humanity, no matter what their station, race, age, gender, religion, orientation, or anything else in life may be.  Unfortunately, respect tends to be something that people think has to be earned.  If that was the case, most people wouldn't respect babies, because they have no "value" when evaluated in the monetarily-driven eyes of society.  But there are few people who would mistreat a baby.  Why?  Because babies are precious and have value beyond the amount of money they make or their political leanings or their ability to influence others or yield power. 
Aretha makes a good point in her song when she says, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T - find out what it means to me."  Another mistake we often make is assuming that we know what respect means to another person.  In some ways, respect is relative, and it's important to communicate with people so we can know if our words/actions make them feel respected.  And be sure to communicate your needs as well, so that there is not respect on one end and resentment on the other.
What am I saying in all this?  Treat others with respect, especially those who society doesn't seem to value.  This could be a child, an elderly person, a homeless person, a sick person, a minority....  You never know what your reverence for another person will do for them.  And know that it's hard to respect others when you don't respect yourself.  And it's been said that others can't respect you if you don't respect yourself.  So, look at yourself in the mirror, and give yourself the respect that you deserve as a human being and child of God.  Then go out and share that care and respect with others.  You don't have to know someone to show them respect.  Making eye contact (depending on the cultural context), smiling, or even listening to people are great ways to show respect.