Respect

Respect can’t be bought with money.
It can’t be promoted because of status.
It’s not chosen because of a name,
Nor is it earned because of an age.
It can’t be demanded by power,
Nor produced from a degree.
All these things may bring rapport,
But never true respect.

Respect is a gift a person awards,
Because of deep trust, love, & admiration.
It’s the highest appraisal one person
Can ever afford to give.

It’s a choice we make everyday:
To place our lives into another's hand & take their words to heart;
To profoundly trust their motives & character;
To love them passionately in spite their humanity,
And choose to continually search for the good, and forgive the bad.
Respect comes from authenticity & vulnerability,
Not hiding truth at a distance, non-familiarity, or indifference.
Respect says, “There are things about you I want to replicate in my life...

...So I will learn from you, and trust you,
And daily choose to love you.
And in so doing I’m choosing
To give you my respect.”


Vince Larson
12/4/8