Be the change

I read one of my friend's blog, a future lawyer studying at LSE, and was greatly impressed by her post.

" Yknow phrases like "I'll show you some respect when you show me some respect"? Ahh, I can't stand those! Rather than perpetuate a cycle of respect, more often than not, it sends the message that a chain of disrespect is fine because "the other guy isn't showing me respect".

WHY, PEOPLE. WHY?

If everyone waits for someone to show them respect first, then who is going to start? Logically, if most people live by that saying, it wouldn't be a problem because it really is a positive Domino effect.. But in reality, if no one knocks down the first Domino, how are the rest going to fall? The idea that respect should be earned is fair enough and often enough, one earns respect when he treats those inferior with respect as well but the phrase on its own is already so confrontational, I can't imagine being willing to succumb to someone who lives by those principles.

Why wait for someone else to do something good? If we all know that respecting and treating people well is something that we should be doing, shouldn't we just be nice on our own accord?

ALSO, the whole concept of "you're nice to me, I'm nice to you" is fine and dandy but I hate it when it turns into "I'm nice to you, and thus you should be nice to me". Of course, it is GOOD to be nice to people. And it's WONDERFUL to appreciate the effort of others. But when you do something for someone, don't get so affronted when your expectation of something in return is instead a "I didn't ask you to".

It's a fair statement to make but it gets people so offended. Feeling hurt is one thing because that's just a feeling that comes with unmet expectations.. But feeling angry? That, I don't understand. You do something for someone to make them happy and when they don't give you the reaction you want, did you really do it for their joy.. Or was it for a response?"

I truly agree with what she wrote. 

Yea, I admit sometime when I do good to someone, I expect them to treat me the same. If someone din't pay the respect I due, I got very angry and don't respect them anymore which I felt really guilty. 

We should not demand respect, but earn it.

We should not expect others returning your kindness, but keep showing others kindness, as God showed you kindness.

We should be the change of this world, set an example to the others, influencing others but not succumb to these negative principle in our world now.

Be the light and the salt in this world, Be the change.