Respect and Reciprocation

Today's meditation is on our duty to give respect and reciprocation to those who are our spiritual guides, either in this or any other realm. I think this is a very important life lesson, beyond just the spiritual or mundane realms. Respect for all things, regardless of station in the universe, should be a fundamental lesson to all humans. So much death and destruction would end in this world if all people could simply respect the lifes of others. The wars in the Middle East right now are the direct result of two factions refusing to give respect to each other. I do know the addage that "respect must be earned". But where does it start? If everyone sits on their laurels waiting for the other to "earn" respect, no one will ever evolve. Respect is a gift, to be freely given without the expectation of return. That, in turn, does not mean you must become a doormat. First and foremost, you MUST have respect for yourself. You are divine, and deserve respect. This lesson goes hand in hand with yesterday's entry in that if you see the divine in all, the respect will come naturally.