FEELING RESPECTED

First publication in the Human Touch series

"Any time other people behave disrespectfully I feel bad. I often think that there is something wrong with me" - a specialist has said.

"Who have told you that?"

There is nothing wrong with you. Those, who behave disrespectfully, have problems with themselves. They try to get rid of their problems. 

The feeling of respect has nothing to do with how others approach you.

There are many reasons you deserve to feel respected. Take a look at the three I have selected.

Your are a Human Being. That is it. Nobody has the right to disrespect you. Neither you boss, nor your peers, nor your family members, have the right to treat you badly. The fact that you were born, gives you a right to feel good about yourself.

When somebody blames you he/she is talking about himself/herself. He/She is trying to transfer the feeling of guilt to you.

People use sarcasm and irony to feel secure. They face an emotional issue and they do not want anybody else, to get close enough, to see it.

People who ignore you, used to be ignored in the past. That is the way, they learned to be treated.

We all have moments of weakness. We all have periods of time, when we suffer and feel bad. 

We use toxic behaviors, like: blame, sarcasm, ignoring, preaching, because we are not aware of our emotions in the moment. Using disrespectful reactions helps us feel better, in the short-term. It destroys us from the inside, in the long-term.

"The fact, that others treat You disrespectfully, does not give You a right to think badly about Yourself".

Start observing your reactions. Stop any time you would like to treat others without respect. Paradoxicaly, you will feel more respect for yourself.

Your Feelings are precious!

"I feel anger, any time my boss ignores me, or treats me as an idiot. He is telling me what I should do, all the time" - a manager has said.

You have feelings and that is a second reason you deserve to feel respected. Anger shows that somebody is crossing over your personal border. Sadness indicates that something is happening inside of you that need your attention. Joy is beautiful. There is no reason you should limit it. All emotions are necessary for us to grow, expand and love.

"I have heard I should not show emotions in business" - the manager has said.

"Do you still believe that?"

Your emotions, your feelings are precious. Embrace them. They are part of who you are. Stop disrespecting yourself by rejecting, ignoring, or pretending they do not exist. Become a friend with your emotions. Embrace them like your own child.

Your voice, your opinions count!

"People are not listening. I think often, that nobody is interested in what I want to say. I feel tired of proving that I am right" - said a Board member.

Your voice is important to the World. Your thoughts are part of you. Your experiences, your knowledge, your ideas count. The fact that others does not listen to you, does not mean you are wrong. 

"Do not let others tell you what is good for you"

We are constantly seeking for other's approval. Opinions of others about us are often more important than our own opinions about ourselves. Start changing that. You know better what is good for you.

Respect your thoughts, your ideas. Others will follow You. 

Find time, every day, to listen to yourself. Observe your emotions and feelings. Listen to your thoughts without judgment. Learn how to treat yourself with respect.

Learning how to respect yourself, your feelings and your thoughts is a path to freedom. It is not often an easy one. With each step on your path, you will feel more peace, more joy and more love. External things will stop having such a big impact on you.

What do you feel right now?

Stay with that feeling. Stay with your thoughts. Observe them. Just stay with your emotions and feelings a little longer, at least 30 seconds longer each day. After a month, you will be addicted to those precious moments. Moments of silence. Moments of being with Yourself.