I don't always RESPECT myself which may explain why others feel it’s ok to disrespect me. As much as I try not to, I find myself seeking validation of MYSELF from others. I know I'm good enough. I know I'm intelligent enough. I know I'm logical enough. Even and most especially when others put me down, I need to remember these positive facts about myself. No, I may not say it the way you say it but that doesn't mean I don't see it the way you see it. And whether you agree with me or not, my opinion has value. I'm not forcing my thoughts on you and demanding that you agree with me as if my word is Law. I'm offering you my thoughts in an effort to begin an intelligent dialogue to solve a problem or come up with new ideas. I never speak my mind just to get berated for expressing my opinion and I try my best not to treat others that way. We are all worthy of everyone else’s respect but we have to respect ourselves to show others HOW to respect us! Constantly I have to remind myself of the Golden Rule (One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself) when dealing with other people that do not always treat me properly. That's when I ask myself “How did I treat them for them to treat me this way?” Whether I initiate the disrespect or not, it seems that I have a major enough effect on people that they feel they can disrespect me no matter what and they think that I won't do anything about it. Just because I don't initially retaliate doesn't mean I've forgotten the harm you’ve caused me. As for my “retaliation”, you never know what I could do but retaliation isn't the way. Love and Peace is always the way so as much as you’ve hurt me, I'm still praying for you to be a better human being. Not just toward me but most especially to yourself! Maybe if you loved yourself more, you wouldn’t hurt others so easily. Love you so others will learn how to love you!
PeaceLoveHappiness
Lm…