Respect is reciprocal

My dad used to tell me, “respect is reciprocal. Even if it is the most junior member of the team, give them the respect they deserve because they’re human. And that is what a decent human being does. Not to talk of your boss. Even if your close friend is your boss, accord him the respect that comes with that position. Even if it is someone who you were ahead of before that became your boss, you automatically start giving them the respect due to that position. This is what is called respecting yourself. And if you respect yourself, there is a very low chance of getting disrespected. But do not tolerate disrespect especially when you ensure you respect others. Don’t ever forget this Shaki; adaptability and flexibility are two of life’s most important survival skills.”

This has helped me in so many ways. I hear stories of doctors who have relocated and some are finding it difficult to adapt because people who were way behind them have now become ahead of them. And it sometimes becomes a source of misery for them. It shouldn’t be so.  And respect is not about sir/ma. It is about doing your work and being a decent person. Life sometimes takes us into places that we never thought we’d find ourselves. But again….there is nothing as unpredictable as the tides of life. Abundance today, lack tomorrow. Lack today, abundance tomorrow. Be adaptable. Be flexible.

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