Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they're different from you or you don't agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing. Webster defines it as: 

'"A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights or traditions of others"

Respect is an essential ingredient to maintaining harmony in society and among people. Freedom is our birthright but it has limitations. A person's freedom ends where another man's freedom begins. This has to be admitted and respected.

Respect is a quality acquired from the early days of our lives. The first institution that imparts this lesson is home. Children learn it from their parents, by seeing how they respect their grandpa, grandma, uncles, aunties, and all those who are elderly.

Some people misunderstand respect as mere reverence. It is not reverenced alone. respect is not obeisance or subservience or allegiance or admiration either. It is a way of expressing one's feelings towards a person or thing. It appears in various forms. When you show compassion to a person, it is a way of showing respect. You are letting him know that you care for him and that you understand his condition.

A person who has learned to respect others are their views will never be a lawbreaker. Respect and discipline are twins. A disciplined person will always show respect to others and a person who shows respect to others will always remain disciplined.

By showing respect to others we become better people. By becoming better people we start respecting ourselves. A person who respects himself will always respect others. The more you respect yourself, the more you can respect others. You can't give what you don't have. Never violate your moral codes. When you think well you act better. Never denigrate yourself before anyone, think and speak highly of yourself. That will give you confidence and prompt you to respect others.

Even today while we boast of rich culture and modern thinking, many youngsters are still failing to pay respect to the elderly and the downtrodden. The sudden spurt in wealth due to overseas opportunities has blinded the eyes of many and as a result, many youngsters think of the less fortunate. They forget that they are the custodians of this wealth for a limited period only and that it could vanish in a fleeting moment. Vision and wisdom are alien to them. Humility, in their view, is not a virtue, but a symbol of weakness.

Remember, time and tide wait for none. We do not know what is in store for us and from where the next threat will unfold before us. Life is so short and death is only a breath away. While you are alive and active, treat people with love and respect. This is what will you solace when you say goodbye to this world once and for all.