Tip Jar

6/27/2020

The formula for respect

There are many people in my life with whom I disagree.

Life being life and opinions being opinions there are untold numbers of issues and situations on which someone may disagree with another person.

When it comes right down to it though, the importance of any disagreement is determined by a simple formula. The importance of the person in your life and the degree to which a disagreed upon issue weighs against the importance of that person in your life.

I can disagree with my wife on a whole host of issues, though I don't, but the trust I have in her on so much more important personal issues easily outweighs the issues I may disagree with her on. Most family members are also given a very large "pass" due to this simple formula. A formula which we all, consciously or not, live by.

Friends even acquaintances are given a pass in direct relation to the importance they play in our lives.

Strangers have little margin for error in this formula.

It is however, important to remember that the people we disagree with are also living within this basic formula.

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