This month’s theme: RESPECT
Reflections
Respect. It’s not something you fight for, demand or achieve. Respect is something you live and breathe. Respect is not something you obtain, but rather something you give over to others regardless of their views, religious preference, ethnicity, race, culture, financial status or job title. Oftentimes we measure and rate people – thinking that only certain individuals are deserving of our respect or our time, but respect belongs to everyone at every moment. Who is to say the value of one individual over the other? Will we allow metrics determine the value we place on an individual? Read More >>
Articles of the Month
Respect for Others: The Foundation of Every Relationship – A definition of respect from different viewpoints and how you can incorporate respect into your professional and personal lives.
Respect: The Starting Point for Good Ethics – A practical view of both respect and ethics and how they intertwine to create the character that is you.
Teaching Respect for Adults – Before laying down the rules of respect for the children, lay down some rules of respect for yourself. Assess how well you’ve been modeling respectful behavior.
“Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.”
Laurence Sterne
Act of Kindness
We all want to be respected. But respect is something we earn. How?
Remember basic kindness.
Encourage others.
Stand firm in your convictions.
Play fair and smart.
Extend a helping hand.
Cause no harm.
Think before you speak.
This month, commit to taking upon yourself one of the above elements of respect. Remember, it’s not about giving to receive – it’s simply giving to give!
Question of the Month
How do you define respect? Share here or in the comments below.
Kindness Media
Photo of the Month
Why does this picture represent respect? Share.
Song of the Month
We all seek to build ourselves up in this world and make a name for ourselves. But oftentimes we can become so consumed with the race to the top, that we forget those who helped us get there. In this heartfelt song, we are reminded that we must respect others as we rise.
Videos of the Month
School children and their teacher make an awesome rap video about the importance of respect.
The wise professor once again teaches his class another valuable lesson. This unexpected lesson is about showing respect to our fellow.
Teens learn a lesson about self-respect and respecting others from an unlikely source.
Books of the Month
The Art & Science of Respect: A Memoir by James Prince – Respect isn’t given, it’s earned. In recounting his compelling life story, Prince analyzes the art and science of earning respect – and giving respect – and how to apply these principles to your own life.
A Road Map for Respect, Kindness, Gratitude, Grit, Courage and Resilience: Words of Wisdom from Montville Township Public Schools Students and the Superintendent. – This book is the outcome of a collaborative writing process within the Montville Township Schools. As part of the district’s Character Education and Mindfulness Initiatives, students and the superintendent of schools share their perspectives on a variety of topics which reinforce the importance of respect, kindness, gratitude, grit, courage and resilience in our daily lives.
Respect: An Exploration – Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot – In these many-layered and masterfully written portraits, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot reaches deep into human experience—from the drama of birth to the solemn vigil before death—to find the essence of respect.
Teach Your Dragon Manners: Train Your Dragon To Be Respectful – This playful book will teach kids what disrespectful behaviors are, and how to use good manners and be respectful for others.
Why Should I?: A book about respect (Our Emotions and Behavior) – A young boy learns how being respectful is important to others and himself. A wonderful lesson for children of all ages.
Do Unto Otters – Laurie Keller – This book is all about treating others like you would want them to treat you. This is key to teaching respect since we all have the desire to be treated nicely by others. If a child isn’t sure if they’re doing the right thing with a friend, they can use this book to reflect on good manners and what respect actually means.