Mirror is not your only reflection

Recently, we all have been packed with loads of events. We celebrated women’s day, witnessed people power through election results and then completed it with bright and happy colors on Holi. I came across many words during this time period some of them being equality, empowerment, peace, togetherness, humanity, trustworthiness et cetera.

The emotions portrayed were beautiful, the messages spread were a delight to grasp and read. But, what bugged me most was that no one talked in depth about the underlying factor of all…RESPECT.

Many a times we come across people online, dissing each other, swearing, spreading negativity about people they might not even know in reality. Then there are people around us talking in a foul and disrespectful language with people they assume to be below them. In the end, It is US….we are sometimes the people behind the computer or the person behaving badly with others or simply disrespecting our own self.

What we need to understand is that our behavior has a ripple effect…we might be putting forth a bad example in front of our kids affecting an entire generation or we may be ruining a life of a person who may have a low esteem and was trying to fight it. We may be destroying ourselves or may ruin and strain a lifelong relationship.  

Respect should not be forced; it should be given with all your heart. Respect can only be given by a mind and heart that is free of prejudices, baseless beliefs, judgment, ego and eccentricities. It should be inculcated as a part of our life. The more we spread respect around us, the more opportunities we open for equality to prevail. The more respect we give, the more we bring peace to our mind and around us. Love can only prevail on the grounds of mutual respect. With every step towards respecting others…we enrich humanity and hence, improving the life of all beings surrounding us.

So pledge today to do the following each day:

1.    Wake up and tell yourself that you respect who you are; you respect your past and the present

2.    Say a word of appreciation to a person helping you each day(your security guard, domestic help, driver, office boy etcetera )

3.    Tell your parents how much you respect them and appreciate the sacrifices they have made

4.    Talk to your child with respect and reward them every time they show respect to people around them.

5.    Be polite while commenting online; remember criticism is healthy and can be done without being mean, rude or disrespectful.

Always remember the way you are treated in life is nothing but a mere reflection of what you put forth in this world. So, pledge to respect all beings around you….but, start with respecting yourself because one can only give what one has.

In conclusion; I must add that Happiness, Love and Peace can build a great society; BUT Respect can make it a paradise.