Respect is something my parents taught me at a young age. Respect my elders, respect my teachers, and respect other people in general. As the years have gone by, respect seems to be a dwindling aspect. Not just by children, but adults as well. People don't seem to care if they slam their car door into the car parked next to them. Adults in a restaurant or family atmosphere can cuss and say every word in the book without a thought of the children in the room. People are apt to be rude and hateful at the drop of a hat if a clerk, waitress, or other employee makes any kind of a mistake in service or on orders. One of my pet peeves is the lack of respect in people returning phone calls or completely ignoring me when I walk into a business.

Here are a few other things I view as disrespectful:

When cashiers, waitresses, and others working in customer service chew gum, especially when it's done as if there's no tomorrow. Mrs. Keithly, my high school bookkeeping/accounting teacher, had strict rules about such things! Who likes to watch and listen to such chomping when you're in line waiting to pay for your groceries?

How about those who cut in front of you in the parking lot! You're going down a lane, ready to pull in, even with your turning signal on, and all of a sudden someone from the other direction hurries in ahead of you and takes your spot. Where's the respect?

What about when you're at a 4-way stop, you got there first, but the idiot at the other corner decides to jump ahead of you and take their turn first! This is either disrespectful or just plain stupid!

Children respecting their parents is a big issue these days. Telling their parents that they are stupid, or don't have to do what they're told, or just plain say "no" when told to do something shows no respect. In "my day" a swat on the butt would have been in order, and rightfully so.

Same goes for adults respecting children. Just a few days ago I saw a woman with two small little girls in a store. They were so precious with sweet little faces, but they were dirty and the little one had no socks on (it was a cold day). My heart went out to them. Perhaps the mother didn't have much money in order to buy these little ones better clothes, but surely she could have found a washrag or something to clean them and to also brush their hair. To me, this is a form of disrespect. We should love and respect our children enough to keep them clean and groomed and teach them how to survive and care for themselves in life.

We many times lack respect for ourselves also. This can include respecting our bodies, minds, emotions, and spiritual selves. I know personally that a few months ago I wasn't taking care of myself. I became very ill, was hospitalized, and had really let my health go. I also have a tendency to worry myself sick about things, even when it's about something completely out of my control. Many people in today's world do the same things as the hustle and bustle of today's world can be overwhelming. Sometimes we just need to stop and "smell the roses" and do something for ourselves, even if it's just some deep breathes, a walk, or watch a favorite movie. Respecting ourselves is a hard thing for many of us.

Perhaps if we all just try to gain a little respect for each other and ourselves, we'll have better relationships in all aspects of our lives.