Can you imagine…?

“We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.”

Taylor Swift

It really doesn’t matter if you agree with someone or not. How you treat another person should have no bearing on whether or not you happen to share the same opinions or perspective.

I have long followed a simple axiom when it comes to how I desire to treat others through my actions and behaviors. Very simply put it is to treat EVERYONE with dignity, honor and respect. I firmly believe that every person, regardless of who they are or what position they hold in life, deserves to be treated in accordance with these three simple words. If I fail to treat everyone in accordance with these principles then I fail to follow the commandment that Jesus gave in the book of Matthew. Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ‘ Matthew 22:37–40

It is worth taking a look at the definitions of these three words and think through how applying them in our interactions with every person we encounter conveys love for one’s neighbor.

Dignity: “To treat others with bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation. To convey nobility…