I Can't Get No...

The difference between demanding respect and commanding it are stark. When someone demands respect they are simply saying 

"show me respect. 

I demand it. 

I deserve it. 

Do it or else". 

One problem with demanding respect is the respect is a façade, superficial or fake. It's possible to respect someone as a person, whether we know him or her, but we may not give any credence to their values, what they do or what they represent. We're respectful out of courtesy or politeness. 

Many times, the danger of demanding respect means that as soon as the one who is insistent upon having it is out of earshot, the subsequent respect is gone as well.

However when one commands respect it comes from who the person is, what he or she represents, his or her accomplishments or skills. The one who commands it, rarely must ask for it as it is freely bestowed by others. 

The commander is spoken of with respect even when he or she is not around to hear it. 

If I feel I don't get the respect I deserve, then it is incumbent upon me to be the kind of person who is respected whether I ask for it or not. If somehow I feel disrespected, then either the people I'm around aren't my friends, from whom I can never expect anything more or I've not commanded their respect by being a person of  respect.

Anyway, most of the people I speak to about my endeavors are usually thinking about themselves.

 

In the Game

 Lynn Swan, hall of fame receiver for the Pittsburg Steelers, once described football as a game of opportunity. He never knew when the ball was going to be thrown his way and in some games he had no receptions all day. On other occasions he was the player of the game but he never knew when the occasion would present itself so he had to be ready for it on every play.

Now, he was never walking around on the streets, going out for a cup of coffee when suddenly a football rocketed to him from out of nowhere to receive the winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl X. No, Lynn Swan was on the field, in the game, running the plays and he was available by putting himself in a position to score at any time during the game. 

Often times we find ourselves wishing for an opportunity for success and to shine but we are never in the game. We find some kind of dull satisfaction from belonging to ordinary groups or the popular culture that makes excuses for our mediocrity. 

• "It's Monday."
• "It's raining."
• "It's too cold today."
• "I haven't had my coffee, yet."
• "It's too early. Just five more minutes."

To catch touchdowns we have to be in the game.