Page 143 - Reflections_over_Akamas

To respect...

... is to wholeheartedly revere the moment and its protagonists. On the surface,

it appears as a considerate gesture here and a polite formality there. But what if
we turned respect into an ever-present attitude, honouring people, institutions

and experiences with our acceptance, attention and consideration? Not
because they meet our standards, but because respect is our common attitude
towards all people, regardless of their background, beliefs or behaviour. What

would happen if you decided one day to greet everyone and everything with
the utmost respect. How would you feel? Drained or empowered? How about
acknowledged and connected?

There are countless ways to offer respect, but only one element ensures
authenticity: intention. When you choose to honour someone, they tend to

reciprocate. They rise to the occasion. It’s been scientifically verified that if you
treat average students as star students, their performance will follow suit.

By choosing to approach life with a mindset of respect, we not only
cultivate deeper connections with others, we also empower ourselves
to live more fully. When we honour people and experiences with our
attention and consideration, we open ourselves to the beauty and richness
of life. Rather than seeing differences as barriers, we can recognise them
as opportunities to learn and grow.

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