shoes

respect is an interesting part of life. there are people who have tremendous amounts of respect for others, and some who have absolutely none. some who have respect for themselves and hold themselves to higher standards, and some who will do just about anything, just to say they did it. respect is hard to earn, and easy to lose. one small act can snowball into a gigantic mess, that can lead to the destruction of a trusting relationship, responsibilities at a job, even an entire lifestyle.

i've been struggling with respect as of late. not with myself, but towards and from others. i have always been a pretty big fan of respect. i have always been a respectful person, and always expected it from others. i feel that my actions and choices (for the most part) garner a certain amount of respect. i am doing things at the age of 20 that i feel most people aren't ready for. i left home not long after turning 19, accomplished a full education, acquired a full-time job in another part of the country. i am 800 miles from anyone i know. i am proud of the things i have done in my short time on earth so far.

so why, after that reasonably impressive list, am i still treated like a child? my coworkers choose to belittle me constantly. their insults and smart ass remarks never cease. i am relentlessly attacked every moment i am at work. of course i react with my own distasteful comments and insults. the dark truth of my career is that it is populated by shallow, coarse, rough collar men. i would be lying to say that i fit in with these idiots. there are good days and bad days as there are with everything in life. days where they help me instead of holding me back. days where i am reminded why i love diving, and why i chose to pursue it as a career in the first place. but the days where these morons have nothing better to do than try to push me to my breaking point are the days where i feel the need to pick up a pipe wrench and commit a felony.

respect is a key ingredient to happiness. both for yourself and those around you. think back to any stupid fight you have had with someone you care about, and picture it if the immaturity or contempt were replaced by respect. i'm willing to bet those moments would have ended a lot more positively.

instill respect in the people you know, and it will be returned. through this pattern, you will be a happier person for it. trust me, my personal respect level is a roller coaster each day.