Respect

Aretha Franklin´s signature song in 1967 has two versions. Songwriter Otis Redding´s original lyrics focused on a man´s needs. Aretha´s version is about a confident woman who knows she has earned her man´s respect. This seems a word worthy of consideration at this time.

We are long into the effects of a globally declared pandemic. The health, mental, and economic impact is staggering to imagine. Relationships are strengthened or shattered. Emotions are running high. Our irritation threshold is like a rubber band stretched to its break point. Under such conditions we are more likely to ¨react¨ than pause and reflect.

My partner and I share many daily observations in our 24/7 time together.

The range of different behavior demonstrates that while we are all one, connected as a species, we are also unique individuals with flaws and faults surfacing when we experience stress.

From childhood, we have inherited beliefs and attitudes that our brain keeps front and center in our daily lives. These neural programmed tapes keep running until we acknowledge their existence and decide to alter certain ones. Millions of people are consciously working within to evolve into better and happier humans. Showing a smile, giving a hello and expressing, have a nice day, can have a profoundly positive effect on the commentator and the recipient. If ever a personal moment meant something special, these are the days when it really counts.

RESPECT implies our regard for the rights, traditions, wishes, and certainly the feelings of others. Doing so demonstrates our admiration for the qualities, skills and achievements of people. Our ego governed pride may roadblock us, especially when we feel threatened and are in fear.

The artificial barriers we have integrated into our life choices could do us harm or good. Being divided from dangerous situations is a good thing.

For example, a sign with a warning high voltage, or a railroad crossing with lights flashing and the arm coming down could save a life. Keep Out barriers aren´t all necessarily bad. However, gated communities, religious exclusiveness, restrictive membership country clubs, very fine print in legal contracts, political systems, ethnic profiling, trade and family planning barriers and reduced mobility for the disabled are divisive and likely to increase disrespect for people who don´t qualify for entry or acceptance.

My point is that respect for others the way I want to be treated is important. Self-respect and self-discipline are my responsibility, and when practiced, reduce the likelihood I´d put others down for having different feelings and opinions.

Maya Angelou said it so powerfully, “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” Albert Einstein commented, “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”

Isolation and fear of infection are reported to increase levels of anxiety and depression. Limited social interaction means there are few people to share our concerns with. Younger people have the strongest need for social contact and worry about future uncertainty. We have witnessed how required mask wearing and social distancing standards fuels their more rebellious reaction to such impositions. Respecting rules to reduce the spread of COVID-19 also varies culturally and economically.

News headlines reinforce our fears. Stories of confusion and angry demonstrators add to our anxiety levels. Taking a break from ingesting this information and instead adding music, literature, comic relief, eating healthy, getting plenty of rest and practicing meditation for even five minutes a day can calm our mind and body stress.

We are witnesses to how people cope with this pandemic. It is the first serious global health calamity in this age of instant news and social media

communication. Being addicted to high tech cell phones and 24/7 television breaking-news provides so much information that doesn´t change our lives.

On the positive side we can also access wonderful programming on travel, history, art, music and learn a myriad of creative skills that expand our mind and curiosity. Bringing us closer to more experiences outside our comfort zones is a great stress reducer and we gain respect for the differences in people and places. Diversity is a strengthening system in the animal kingdom that we are a part of. Acknowledging our differences brings us closer together. Whether it is culture, language, religion, race or ethnicity, we are all connected to one another.