"You must find the courage to leave the table if respect is no longer being served."
The above is one of my all-time favorites because it perfectly encapsulates one of the primary reasons relationships go awry.
I've lost track of the many times I've held on to a relationship for far too long in hopes that the individual would come to respect me and value everything I brought to the table.
Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
Here are just a few examples of ways people demonstrate they possess no respect for you:
- They cheat on you.
- They lie, and lie, and lie some more.
- They take you for granted.
- They stab you in the back.
- They're abusive, whether physically or emotionally.
- They fail to value your point of view.
One thing is to feel genuine remorse for one's actions. But some of these individuals are cognizant that what they're doing is wrong and yet they persist in their unbecoming behavior.
Sadly, most of these people will never change. Their declarations of love and fealty may say otherwise, but until they can prove that they truly value your feelings, they will continue to send you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
Know your worth, and demand to be respected just as you respect them. It doesn't have to erupt into a shouting match, but be firm. Leave them with the unmistakable impression that unless they begin to show that they value you, you stand ready to walk.
If they're incapable of reciprocating, your best bet is to cut them loose once and for all.
Indeed, the last person you need in your life is someone who lacks morals and ethics.
If that means leaving your job to escape the grip of a toxic boss or severing ties with an old friend who only recently threw respect to the wind, then so be it.
They'll the ones who will miss out by no longer have you in their orbit.
Going back to the opening of the post, if respect isn't on the menu, there's little reason to stay. You want to be around people who believe, just as you do, that others should be treated as you'd like them to treat you.
It costs $0.00 to treat someone with respect, but it appears that is still too expensive for certain people. They're unable (or unwilling) to put themselves in others' shoes and recognizing how corrosive their behavior really is.
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