Why did respect become a bad word? Why did respect become something that is so casual that many don't even notice anymore? When did respect fall away? The most simple respect began to diminish when 'anything goes' happened at church. Remember 'Sunday Best'? Now it's 'Sunday whatever I wear when I'm relaxing.' The pastor at the church I was attending in high school said, "I don't care what you wear, just come." An amazing thing happened, and the evolution was a learning experience for me. First Sunday, torn up jeans and tee shirt. A few Sundays later, torn up jeans and collared shirt. A few Sundays later, torn up jeans, a collared shirt, and a tie. A few Sundays later, nice pants, a collared shirt, and a tie. It was a wonderful thing to see as a transformation and respect for our Father in Heaven grew. But, then something else happened. The others at church began to dress down to 'Sunday Sort of Best'; then to 'Sunday Whatever'. They missed the entire point of what was going on. Media and societal changes then bombarded us with reasons why respect was a negative trait. Respect is a positive trait, it breeds respect. There is nothing wrong with respect. Let's set a goal to have the courage to show respect. Set a goal for three simple signs of respect:
Now, on the dash of your car, or a check list on your phone, make a check mark for each time you do one of these things. Then, in your prayers each night, express gratitude for the people that you showed respect to during the day. Once you have done this for a month, it will have become a habit. So, now look where you need to make three more goals to show respect and do them for a month; keeping a record in the same way so that you are reminded to express gratitude for the people you showed respect that day. It doesn't take much to change the world, it really doesn't. Imagine if everyone did this exercise?
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Our days are filled with noise. Stores have music playing. Elevators have music playing. Doctor's offices have videos playing. Restaurants have music or television playing. At work people are talking. At home people are talking, television is on, game sounds beep, boing, and tingle. Why are we afraid of quiet? What is it that frightens us? Our connection to Heavenly Father is based in solemn reverence. We hear Him softly. The Holy Ghost is a still, small voice. Why? We have to remove distractions in order to pay attention--to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. We have to stop and ponder. We have to stop and listen. Perhaps that is what we are afraid of--hearing. Because if we 'hear'--we must heed. And heeding may not be popular. Heeding may have me change how I want to do something. Heeding may make my friends laugh at me, or worse. The goal this week is to unplug. Have just an hour a day unplugged. Play a game with your family. Read a book. Color with a pre-school child that is starving for your undivided attention. Learn a new skill--sewing, painting, etc. Prepare yourself to hear and heed. |
Carolyn Bendall"After years of teaching people how to develop their 'outside' image; we realized the 'inner image' need just as much work. Let's take this journey together!" Archives
August 2022
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