Respect: Given and Withheld
I respect others by meeting them where they are and accepting them as they are. I acknowledge their right to exist and live their lives as they choose. I do not interfere with their lives against their will. I welcome them into my life and give them the benefit of my positive regard until they give me reason to do otherwise. I affirm them and encourage them to become what they are meant to be. I trust them until they themselves give me good reason not to.
However, my respect is neither unconditional nor absolute. If I deserve their respect and they withhold it for no good reason, I do not respect them. If they threaten harm to me or those dear to me, from me they receive harm rather than respect. If they follow through with their threat, I return their harm back to them with interest earned.
They will neither threaten or harm me or those dear to me again.