R-E-S-P-E-C-T...Find out what it means to you!

     'Political-correctness', (to the degree to which it has evolved), be damned! Things, relative to this issue, have been blown way out of proportion; this, to the point of 'a**-kissing' our fellow-person(s). What the blazes ever happened to good, plain and simple, old-fashioned, courtesies, and, earnest, respect, and regard for one's brethren? For those of us who were raised to believe that ALL human-kind is created equal, and, that, it is of the utmost, importance, to 'treat others as you would wish for them to treat you', it is becoming, increasingly, more evident, that a vast majority of folks never learned that 'Golden Rule'. I am, forever, stymied, by the behavior(s) that I witness, by some, relative to this sensitive-issue...SENSITIVITY. Being responsive to or aware of feelings, moods, reactions, etc., of others, seems to be an issue, quite, foreign, to a great number of people; many, to whom I am a complete stranger, and, for others, that I know. Often, when I am in a situation, whereby I may witness, or, overhear, the behavior, or, sentiment of another...behavior which reeks of insensitivity, disregard, and, yes...sometimes, hate, toward a person, or, groups of people, my sensibilities are, both, assaulted, and, insulted. I feel myself, physically, recoil, from the impact of such negativity. Truly, I find this, type, conduct, to be repugnant in nature. Hey, I was young, once, too, and, in so being, I participated in 'conduct-unbecoming' toward some, select, few. My only, rationalization and justification of this is that I was young, and shy the capability for, true, empathy... consideration of the feelings of others. These days, I take 'the higher-road'. We're supposed to learn as we grow, right? I dunno..I just believe that having regard for, and, showing respect, to others, is the right thing to do. Perhaps, if we all took a bit more time and energy, concentrating on our, own, selves; understanding, ourselves, knowing ourselves, loving ourselves, and, recognizing ourselves in others, we would, be more capable of tolerance of, for, and, toward our fellow-human(s), and, as a result, extend to them the same respect we ought have for ourselves. What some folks may not recognize, in their display of offensive behavior toward others, is what those actions are, actually, saying about themselves. This type, behavior, is, simply, 'bad-form'. Additionally, certainly, we all wish for others to treat us well, don't we? We needn't embrace everyone we meet with the same fervor that we extend to our closest, family, and, friends, but, GEE WHIZ...Can't we all just get along? Just Askin'!