respect myself

I don’t know if I’m doing it right. In fact, I don’t think I’m doing it at all? I’m not very nice to myself to be honest. :( But I think I’m less of a glutton for punishment then I thought.
I told a guy that’s been horribly crude to me that I didn’t want to see him anymore. Of course, he came back with a smart comment, but I’ve been avoiding him for the past two months. :)

you know i try to define respect, but i can’t figure out the boundaries or the things that attribute to respect…!

I just spoke to a friend today about my abusive relationship, and she obviously couldn’t believe I was even in such a situation. I really have to stand up for myself and make it clear that abuse will not be tolerated. I really, REALLY don’t want my son to grow up to be someone who thinks this kind of conduct is okay, but by allowing it, this is what I teach him.
I’m working towards this level of certainty that there is a better way and there is an alternative and it doesn’t have to be this way. I don’t have to live in fear, I don’t have to be treated like a child.
I do have to know my place and my worth.
I have to respect myself enough to protect myself… and the one whose safety I’m responsible for.

I’ve started reading the ‘7 Habits…’. What a remarkable book! I feel that this will really help me with all my goals, especially the self-respect, and of course genuine respect for others as well. I wish I had more time to read!

Habits take a while to build, and there will always be lapses… but so far I am doing good in getting back on track whenever I get off track. That is, onto the track of DOING the RIGHT THING. NO matter the circumstances. Regardless of whether or not it is going to be appreciated, rewarded or even acknowledged by anyone!! Just for the sake of being that person. The person that goes to sleep at night knowing they did the right thing. For themselves, their kids, their spouse, their society, their planet. With respect. Self-respect.

To me that means taking good care of myself, nourishing my soul, mind and my body. Also, it means setting clear boundaries for myself and for others that must never be crossed.
Not letting people treat me badly is only possible if I treat myself well. I need to honor myself and appreciate myself instead of beating myself up, and most of all, without self-sabotaging all the time. God, I’m sick of it. This is not what a person of respect and dignity does.

This is a huge goal for me, and the condition for succeding with any other goal I have. I’m really working on this.

and not to get caught up in other people’s games

now that I’ve decided I want to do this, I realise I have almost none of it.

Respecting people is about treating people according to the way they are meant to be treated. I respect my parents by taking care of them in their old age. I respect my clients by providing tools that make their jobs easier. I respect my boss by being on time. I respect my friends by listening to them, and spending time with them.

I respect myself
by taking time for myself to be alone,
by listening to my heart,
by providing for my own needs,
by treating myself as a best friend.

I told this guy I like exactly how I felt. I told him I liked him, and I felt used because he totally stopped talking to me the moment he got a girlfriend. I told him I felt more like a fling then a friend. I’m so glad I told him. He hasn’t talked to me since, but the good thing is I’m not angry about that. I’m just going to let him go, and NOT chase after him. :P