Page 29 - 7 Steps to Spiritual Empathy Sample Book_Neat

Someone once told me that they respected their
father, when in fact as our conversation emerged
it became apparent that they feared their father.

Respect born of fear is not true respect.

True respect creates a boundary that denotes
care and regard, a boundary that symbolizes the
health and well-being of our own sense of
entitlement, as well as our recognition and
desire to support and validate the entitlement of
others.

True respect acknowledges and validates the
differences between us and therefore our unique
individuality, indeed true respect celebrates
difference. If we consider that a boundary or a
structure defines the nature of the space within,
then respect creates the quality of a space in
which difference is welcomed as an opportunity
for discovery, for learning, and therefore for
growth.
So true respect creates definition within
relationship. A space where both similarity and
disagreement can be validated; a space where
agreements can be discussed, negotiated and
made, even if those agreements are in
celebration of a difference of opinion.

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7 Steps to Spiritual Empathy
©Jenny Burgess A-Z of Emotional Health Ltd 2016 All rights reserved.