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2. They practice restraint. They don't lose their tempers, scream, yell or strike out against others when things aren't going their way. They don't over-indulge in alcohol, gambling, etc., or exhibit other obsessive behaviors. And when the inevitable negative things in life DO happen to them, they maintain a positive outlook, "Trusting the Process" and knowing that we ALL experience both ups AND downs, and that our peace and joy are determined by how we handle both.
3. They guide, teach and lead by example. They have an innate sense of right and wrong and always strive to stay on the proper side of "right". They keep their egos in check and while they may be self-assured, they are not self-centered. They are confident without being "cocky", and seem to have a healthy sense of their place in the universe. And while they may not be overtly religious, their spirituality is still evident. They know there is a God and they are NOT it!
4. They don't give up easily. They are not afraid of failure and have the courage and stamina to keep doing what they know is right, even if it is unpopular, or not immediately successful. They don't let fear dictate their actions and they don't allow setbacks to halt their progress.
5. They admit when they are wrong. They take responsibility for their actions and don't try to blame others or the circumstances. They forgive easily and say, "I'm sorry" just as easily.
6. They show compassion and respect for others. They know how to "agree to disagree" and even if someone's behavior is not worthy of respect, they find a way to share their wisdom without demeaning the other person.
7. They never stop learning. They aren't lazy and will continually strive to keep themselves up-to-date on current events, technology, changes within their field and other activities, hobbies, sports, etc., that may interest them. Consequently, their wisdom comes from knowledge and experience among multiple topics and is therefore fresh, well-informed and contemporary. While education/experience from years ago may still be relevant, knowing that they don't "rest on their laurels" imparts a deeper level of believability and enhances their reliability.
8. They have their priorities in the right order. They are hard workers, but their jobs do not rule their lives and neither does their quest for money. They know that money doesn't make people happy and they strive to cultivate rich, nurturing and loyal relationships, which are more important to them than bank accounts. Whether they are wealthy or have limited financial resources, they cherish and appreciate the real assets of their lives—blessings that no amount of money can buy.
Parents often complain that their children don't honor their teachings. And yes, kids will go through naturally rebellious stages in the process of determining who they want to be as individuals. But those parents who are the most successful at guiding their children through the difficult phases of growing up, are the ones who manage to instill RESPECT in their kids from an early age. And respect is imparted by CONSISTENTLY maintaining the values outlined above. By demonstrating that “No” means “NO”, not--“until you wear me down”. By remembering that your goal is to raise a strong, principled, productive ADULT, not a Child. And by keeping in mind that your job is not to please your children or to be their friend. Rather it is to be a Role-model, a Teacher, a Mentor, and an Instructor. Think about the Educators from your past that you value the most now as an adult. Chances are, they were the ones who maintained the important boundaries between Teacher and Student. They weren’t the easiest Teachers and you couldn’t “skate” through their class. They challenged you to rise about “adequate” and strive to always do your best. They nurtured, coached and encouraged you to live up to your potential, demonstrating that they cared about you and supported you--but they weren’t your “friend”. Bear in mind, your children may not always agree with you, but you are more likely to be viewed as a credible source of information if they respect you and the example that you set for them. And they are more likely to return to your teachings as they grow older, if they have reverence for you and the life you model for them.
Additionally, marital difficulties repeatedly arise when couples do not respect one another. Infidelity, rudeness, insensitivity, thoughtlessness and other discourteous and destructive behaviors would not occur if sincere respect and genuine regard for one another were present. Think about the couples you admire most. They speak to each other in loving tones. They don’t embarrass or demean the other. They are warm, tender, even-tempered, and forgiving. The respect they show one another is visibly apparent to anyone in their presence.
And consider the bosses and co-workers you look up to and appreciate. They expect you to do your job, work hard and be a productive member of the team. Yet, they are pleasant, considerate, respectful people. They can point out your mistakes without humiliating you. They don’t discredit you when you are not around. They share their knowledge generously, guiding and teaching with patience, understanding and compassion. So regardless of the association you share with others, respect is the cornerstone of any truly successful relationship.
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