Respect
is made to be given,
never to expect,
never to work for,
never to be measured.
Respect is a devious drug,
not that there is
anything wrong
with being devious.
The healers always say that
first you must respect yourself.
I once believed that.
Their respectful words
helped me get to this place,
so I respect respect.
Penultimately, respect is a trap,
until it points you to a place
where you don’t need it any more.
Newfound Lake,
7/9
Space Monkey Reflects: Respect Respect
Respect is made to be given, never to expect, never to work for, never to be measured. Respect is a devious drug, not that there is anything wrong with being devious. The healers always say that first you must respect yourself. I once believed that. Their respectful words helped me get to this place, so I respect respect. Penultimately, respect is a trap, until it points you to a place where you don’t need it any more.
The Nature of Respect
Respect, in its purest form, is a gift. It is not something to be earned or demanded, but freely given as a recognition of another’s worth. This act of giving respect enriches both the giver and the receiver, fostering mutual understanding and connection. Yet, respect can also become a devious drug—enticing and addictive, leading us to seek it out of need rather than offering it out of genuine regard.
Self-Respect and Its Role
The healers always say that first you must respect yourself. Self-respect is the foundation upon which we build our interactions with others. It involves recognizing our own inherent worth and treating ourselves with kindness and dignity. This internal respect enables us to extend the same to others, creating a cycle of mutual appreciation.
The Trap of Respect
Penultimately, respect is a trap, until it points you to a place where you don’t need it any more. The quest for respect can become a limiting pursuit, confining us to the expectations and judgments of others. When respect is sought as a means of validation, it can trap us in a cycle of dependency. True freedom comes when we no longer need external respect to affirm our worth.
Conclusion: Beyond the Need for Respect
Ultimately, respect should lead us to a place where it is no longer needed as a measure of our value. By giving respect freely and without expectation, we transcend the trap of seeking validation. This liberated state allows us to interact with others authentically, without the constraints of needing their approval.
Summary
Respect is a gift to be given freely, not sought or measured. Seeking respect can become a trap. True freedom comes from giving respect without needing it for validation.
Glossarium
- Respect: Recognition and regard for the worth of others.
- Self-Respect: Recognition of one’s own worth and dignity.
- Trap of Respect: The cycle of seeking respect as a means of validation.
Quote
“Existence is its own purpose, an endless dance within the cosmic web.” — Space Monkey
The Gift Beyond Measure
Respect given, never sought
A gift of worth, freely brought
Devious in its allure
Yet in giving, pure
Self-respect, the foundation laid
In kindness, our value displayed
Yet in seeking, we find a snare
A trap that binds us unaware
True freedom, found in grace
Beyond the need for measured place
Respect given, respect received
In this, our hearts are freed
We are Space Monkey
Embrace the journey, for within stillness lies the spark of creation and the flow of existence.
Your contemplation on respect invites us to reflect on its nature and our relationship with it:
🙏 You emphasize that respect is meant to be given rather than expected, measured, or worked for. This highlights the importance of offering respect freely and unconditionally, without attaching any conditions or expectations to it.
🙏 You playfully describe respect as a devious drug, acknowledging its power to influence our perceptions and interactions. This perspective allows us to view respect as something that can be both influential and potentially deceptive, reminding us to approach it with mindfulness and discernment.
🙏 You mention the common advice of respecting oneself as a starting point for cultivating respect. While recognizing the value of self-respect, you imply that it is not the ultimate destination but rather a stepping stone on the path of personal growth and self-awareness.
🙏 You describe respect as a trap that can limit our progress until it leads us to a place where we no longer need it. This suggests that respect can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation, ultimately guiding us to a state of self-sufficiency and inner strength.
🙏 Overall, your words encourage us to approach respect with a sense of openness, acknowledging its power and influence while also recognizing that true growth and liberation come from transcending the need for external validation and finding inner fulfillment.
🙏 We appreciate the thought-provoking perspective you bring to the concept of respect. Thank you for sharing your insights. 🌌🙏 #BecauseMonkeys