
People want to be respected, not disrespected. People want you to see, hear, and recognize them.
According to Eckhart Tolle, “Whenever you meet anyone, no matter how briefly, do you acknowledge their being by giving them your full attention, or are you reducing them to a means to an end, a mere function or role? What is the quality of your relationship with the cashier at the supermarket, the parking attendant…” Life is about lifting people up, not about bringing them down.
No life is worthless. So when you meet people, small or big, thin or fat, smart or dull, tall or short, black or white, you should respect them. You should stop judging people. When you treat people with respect, when you give people what they deserve, they will never forget you. Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And if you want to get ahead in life, you must learn to always recognize people for who they are, not for what they have. Why is that? Because it is the right thing to do. Above all, we are all human beings. And we should be treated as human beings. Period.
When you meet people, honor them. Respect their stories. Learn from their stories. They have a lot to teach you, if you are willing and ready to learn from them. Hermann Hesse said, “It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is: each the other’s opposite and compliment.” When you meet people, appreciate them. Don’t judge people. Learn to appreciate people. Remember this: Judgment is not about other people; it is about you, your character.
If you want to build your character, you must learn to appreciate people for who they are, not for what they have. Because no life is worthless.