Respect

 

"He who knows others is learned.  He who knows himself is wise." --Lao-Tzo

And a good morning to all my blog friends.  Hope your day is going well.  Just arrived at work and will be here until 7 tonight.   It's kind of icy outdoors, but at least the sun is shining, and somehow that makes everything all right.  And everything is all right.  Life is a blessing, a gift...and I am thankful to be here.

I don't know if anyone noticed, but I have put all of my blogs on Comment Moderation...something I really hadn't planned on doing nor wanted to do , but it is something I realize I will have to do from now on. You see, I have been invaded.  In Yahoo groups we call them 'trolls'.  I don't know what their title is here in blogland.  And, to be honest with you, it sure did take me by shock.  Something I was not expecting.  After all, I am always respectful of everyone else and would NEVER think of writing something negative on another person's blog; that is their space.  So, let's say I find a blog where someone is discussing the benefits of eating worms...something I definitely don't believe in and will not do.  But, I will not comment "You are crazy.  Where do you find these looney ideas?"  No, I will move on for everyone has the right to their own beliefs.   So, call me naive, but I never thought anyone would violate  my 'space'...someone I don't  even know, someone who wasn't even a thought yesterday morning.   Someone who doesn't know me.  And, my friends, it wasn't just one space that was violated, it was three of my spaces..."Inner Journey", Faerieland", and "Avalon".

Needless to say, at first, I was totally angry and even thought of lashing out on the other's blog, but, two wrongs have never make a right and never will.  Besides,  she has, in fact,  provided me with something important to write about today....RESPECT.    On a personal level, being trolled doesn't bother me anymore; I look at  it is a lesson learned...."Protect Yourself".  On a higher level though, it says a great deal about what is wrong with the world around us....a lack of respect for each others' beliefs.  When (and I don't mean us) don't understand something about another's beliefs, the first reaction is to  set out to destroy the other person  or, if we can't do that, mock them  and poke fun of what they believe in.  My question is "Where has open-mindedness gone?  How have we strayed so far?  Why is it that we can never find the time to research and try to understand before we speak?

Not everyone we meet shares our views, opinions, or ideas.  That's to be expected.  Without dark there is no light. Without hate there can be no love.  Without respect, we cannot learn.   Respect means honoring other people's wants, needs, ideas, differences, beliefs, customs, and heritage.  It means showing consideration for others.  It has everything to do with other people's rights to be themselves.  This involves tolerance and sensitivity on our part.  Sadly, many are quick to criticize or point fingers at others without taking the time to develop an understanding.  For example, the tale of Pandora is not some "looney tale" that I made up.  It reaches far back to the early reaches of time when our ancestors searched for a way to explain the workings of the world.  Tolerance, patience, understanding...these are the values that everyone needs to develop.  Peace and love come from understanding...not ridicule.  Speak kindly to others...and try to understand where they are coming from.

And with that, I have to go run my group.  Sorry for rambling.  There is much more I wanted to say, but I've run out of time here.  Just wanted to take the time to thank each of you who have become a part of my life.  I appreciate you all.  I appreciate what I learn from you...for if we do not take the time to learn, we will not grow.