Most of the stress, turmoil, confusion and anger in relationships is caused by disrespect.   If you doubt it, take a moment and list the worst 10 stressful situations in your life over the last few years.    Without specifically knowing what you wrote, let me tell you something about your list.   Most, if not all, of the situations involved disrespect from someone in your life.  There are a few exceptions but most of the stress in our lives stems from disrespect. 

 

Because disrespect is such a huge issue in our culture, imagine what the world would be like if all disrespect were eliminated.    Imagine how relationships would work if there was no disrespect.   Imagine the calm and peace in families if there was no disrespect.   Imagine what your job would be like if there was no disrespect.

 

It is impossible for you to eliminate all of the respect in the world.   But it is possible for you to begin eliminating the disrespect you spread in the world.    And the minute you stop disrespecting people, you have already made the world a better place.   The minute you stop disrespecting people is the moment you change your world drastically.

The Golden Rule is a wonderful thing.  The way you treat people is the way people will treat you.   Let me illustrate.  If you like it when people curse and scream at you, simply start cursing and screaming at everone you meet.   Within a few days, everyone in your life, everyone you meet will be screaming and cursing at you.  

 

 

While this example is somewhat absurd, it starkly illustrates the point that you can help determine how people treat you.   The real point of this absurd example is that if you like to be treated with patience and kindness when you make mistakes, treat people with patience and kindness when they make mistakes and they will tend to reciprocate.  If you like respect, treat people with respect.   If you enjoy the love of others, love people around you.  

Filed under: Building Rugged Gentlemen, Real Men Don't Talk Trash by tim