Liberty Lodge Young Leaders Project 2006 – part 5

What is respect? There are numerous definitions of this word; according to the Webster’s Dictionary, “Respect is “to regard; to relate to; to honour; to have consideration for.” What really matters is the definition which each one of us believes it to be. What I think respect is:

1. Esteem – if you don’t have a high opinion of yourself, you won’t have the same opinion about others. You will see them as you see yourself. {{more}}

2. Character – the qualities that you portray to others whether it’s negative or positive.

What I see it as, is that if you don’t have any of the above mentioned you will have difficulties in respecting other people and yourself. I have learnt from the mistakes that my family had made. Because of circumstances they couldn’t have handled, they responded in a certain way; expecting us to be different.

Since I have been a resident of the Liberty Lodge Boys’ Training Centre I have received a lot of information on what to do and what not to do to others and their possessions hence developing respect for self and others.

At the Centre we are shown respect, love and so much more. This in turn has helped us to change our ways and begin to respect each other. It has been said so many times that you have to give respect to gain respect but I see respect as coming from within. If you don’t respect yourself you won’t be able to give it out.

Over the past five weeks we have shared with you on the topics: Cherishing Life, Embracing Family Values and Respecting One Another. We know that they have worked in the past and if continued to be used will help us not only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean but in the wider world in Shaping the Future.

Jude Glasgow