R.E.S.P.E.C.T. in Many Languages

Saturday at 6:15, I left Pitman to head to a Week of the Young Child Conference in Delaware where we were scheduled to present a training workshop that we called R.E.S.P.E.C.T. It was designed to give pause, think what the word was all about and how to truly practice it for the good of ALL! I was less than 10 minutes from home when I was greeted by a sight that made me stop and pause, filled with gratitude and respect for the beauty of nature and the gift I had been given! I am not usually out and about to see the sunrise, let alone one as spectacular as this. I just knew that the day would be filled with treasures and our hearts were about to be filled with so many new friends. And that it was. Read on.
There are so many "keys" that unlock the treasure chest of RESPECT. One of the fun parts of our training workshops is to create materials that are visual representations of what we are doing - and then engage people in movement and hands on activities as they internalized the concepts.
We started out with quotes about respect, encouraging each of the groups to develop a definition to share what this word meant for self, others and non-people/the environment. The responses were thoughtful. We want to share a few ideas:
1. To be humble, love yourself, and have high self-esteem. As you give it to others, you will receive it back ten fold.
2. Affirming and treating others as you want to be treated.
3. Being honest with yourself and loyal to others.
4. Help all and hinder none!
Then we had so much fun with the "Keys of Respect" exploring together ( and getting a bit rowdy at times) to see which ones opened the treasure chest of respect. We have a list of 30 we created and would be happy to send them to anyone who sends us an email request: catchthemright@aol.com
We ended the session creating a Bill of Respect that the participants created together - what they would take with them as guidelines and reminders for building respectful relationshps.
PREAMBLE: We, the Nation of Nurturers, in order to form a more perfect society, establish respect, ensure harmony & tranquility, provide for common understanding, promote affirmation of self & others, and secure self-worth for all, do create this Bill of Respect.
1. Be an individual and allow it in others.
2. Listen well to yourself and others.
3. Provide equity, fairness & consistent rules for all.
4. Be trusting and trustworthy/loyal.
5. Be still and notice: Watch, Ask and Adapt.
6. Be kind and caring.
7. Respect boundaries.
8. Be truthful.
9. Respect yourself, your community and the environment.
10. Accept responsibility.
This list is in no way final - only what two groups of people on a beautiful Saturday in April created for themselves and others.
They noted that Respect is really the Golden Rule.
We take it one step further: Do unto others what you want others to do unto others.
CATCH THEM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.