What's in a word?

The word respect has been on our minds a lot these days. Whether it's in regards to teaching our children life lessons, treating the bodies God gave us properly or working through bumps in important relationships, respect is a necessary foundation. But how does one define what the word really means?

Here's what dictionary.com says:

re·spect   [ri-spekt]
–noun
1. a particular, detail, or point (usually prec. by in ): to differ in some respect.
2. relation or reference: inquiries with respect to a route.
3. esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment.
4. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.
5. the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.
6. respects, a formal expression or gesture of greeting, esteem, or friendship: Give my respects to your parents.
7. favor or partiality.
8. Archaic . a consideration.
–verb (used with object)
9. to hold in esteem or honor: I cannot respect a cheat.
10. to show regard or consideration for: to respect someone's rights.
11. to refrain from intruding upon or interfering with: to respect a person's privacy.
12. to relate or have reference to.

Here's Budweiser's (amazing) definition of the word respect on the heels of 9/11:

Perhaps Aretha knows what it's really all about:

We, well one of us in particular , is really struggling with the boundaries of respect right now. Without it, all valuable relationships lose their luster. It needs to be mutual, compassionate and non-judgemental. But when it's gone, as in really gone, it's lights out. That's when self-respect kicks in and we have to learn to breathe (see yesterday's post!) and move on.

We can always find a way to bring Blue October into a conversation, and this one is no different. If you listen carefully to the words of the following song, you'll hear Justin Furstenfeld singing about love, sadness & knowing when to move on. We think it's the perfect way to define respect:

Be happy!

xoxo,

The K's