Week 383
Positive post Sunday, June 30, 2024…. Week 383. I’ve been thinking about writing on “Respect” for a while, and the quote from Sylvester McNutt III below has been sitting in my queue for weeks. So, this week I decided to check it off my list.
As I began writing, the first thing that came to my mind was the song, ‘Respect’, by Aretha Franklin. Although I may be dating myself, I love that song, particularly the lyric, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me”. For those who want to reminisce, or for the youngsters who may have never heard the song, here’s a link to the song with the lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWUHaUJfhSo
When researching the song, it became evident that this song had an impact far greater than just seeking respect. And with June being the month in which we celebrate Juneteenth, perhaps the good Lord was guiding me to write this during June!!
‘Respect’ is Aretha’s signature song; it became a soundtrack for the racial and gendered political movements of its time when it was released in 1967. Aretha was aware of its power and said that it depicted “the need of a nation” and added that it was of “monumental significance”. In her memoir, Aretha: From These Roots, she also noted that, “It [reflected] the need of a nation, the need of the average man and woman in the street, the businessman, the mother, the fireman, the teacher—everyone wanted respect”.
Inspired by Aretha, here’s what R-E-S-P-E-C-T means to me:
- Respect is earned not given.
- Earning respect requires serenity.
- Serenity is found through patience.
- Patience is a virtue that everyone, especially me, would benefit from having more of.
- Everyone would benefit from being considerate of others.
- Considering the needs of others over your own is thoughtful and can earn respect.
- Thoughtfulness, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion are foundational to earning respect.
Respect is Earned with Serenity and Patience and when Everyone is Considerate of others in a Thoughtful way.
Let me end with a few Bible verses related to respect: 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 12-15:
(12) We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you, (13) and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (14) We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. (15) See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all.
What does R-E-S-P-E-C-T mean to you?
How do you live your life earning the respect of others through grace and service – acknowledging and owning your mistakes and correcting your behavior?
