Food For Thought - "Everything Changes"

"Everything Changes"
C2002 Gail Pursell Elliott
 

Everything changes – except what people want.

How long have people wanted to be treated with dignity and respect? Think about it.

The American and French revolutions were launched because people felt they were not treated with dignity and respect. Unions were formed because workers wanted to be treated with dignity and respect.
Every corporate mogul wants to be treated with dignity and respect.
Every person looking for work wants to be treated with dignity and respect.
Every “rights” movement is based on people being treated with dignity and respect.
Every parent wants to be treated with dignity and respect.
Every child and teenager wants to be treated with dignity and respect.
Every senior citizen wants to be treated with dignity and respect.

All people want and have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. No Exceptions.

Most people agree with this statement. If we agree then we have the ability to take that agreement and internalize it into our beliefs. Then if we believe it, we can act on that belief. We have common ground on which to begin. What it takes is a conscious awareness, and the courage to maintain that perspective in the presence of behavior that is not deserving of respect.

Treating people with dignity and respect does not mean that we always have to agree. Treating people with dignity and respect does not mean that we excuse or tolerate reprehensible conduct. Treating people with dignity and respect does not mean that we will be friends with everyone we meet. Treating people with dignity and respect means that we act from our own sense of personal dignity and self-respect, rather than react to circumstances.

It takes an awareness of our own personal power to treat others with dignity and respect regardless of the appearance or situation. We exercise that power when we recognize and use our ability to become the observer and step outside of the situation and our own reactions long enough to gain perspective.

This perspective includes the awareness that our actions are a reflection of what we believe to be true about ourselves at that moment. That is why our actions can be both positive and negative, Our actions in different situations can change based upon how we view ourselves depending upon whether we are at peace within or in turmoil, feeling uncertain, or connecting the present with an emotion dredged up from the past.

Most of us confuse people with their appearance or their behavior. Some of us believe that what a person is dictates what a person does. Yet when we do this we are setting ourselves up as judges. We may label a person based on what they do or its consequences, rather than upon seeing and acknowledging the truth of the individual that is within.

Behavior is temporary and situations are also. They are ever changing. Times change, styles change, governments change, relationships change. The truth that each of us is a unique and precious one of a kind event does not change. The desire for that truth to be recognized is a constant. It is a common denominator that connects us all.

Each of us is like a many-faceted jewel. Some of the facets may appear dull or unpleasant on the surface, while others have been polished to brilliance. Beneath the surface of all the facets, however is the beauty of the crystal itself waiting to be revealed and acknowledged.

Have a Great Day and be good to yourself.  You deserve it!

Gail

Food For Thought is part of the Dignity and Respect message that is Innovations.

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