Today's reading "Respect your siblings" follows yesterday's reading "Respect your parents" very close. Typically the response I get from people when they read this day's thought is, "Why should I respect my siblings?" In that lies the answer. Having an attitude of superiority or constant competition with siblings is in no way healthy to personal success. Again, having been reared with 6 siblings with me being the youngest, learning to "respect" or "esteem" them I learned quickly created less friction for me and I'm sure made what already seemed like a long, long childhood somewhat less troublesome.
My father always told people as his children were growing up that he had a basketball team; 5 boys as the players and 2 girls as the cheerleaders. Looking back on those words, and I'm sure he never thought of it this way, I see how we were exactly that, a team of family members working together for the same end; steering clear of conflict together. Not one of us ever wanted to see another in the cross hairs of our father's discipline (it was the 60s and 70s don't forget, when discipline meant discipline, not abuse).
And even as adults I continue to hold my siblings in high esteem, respecting their lifestyles, decisions and personalities regardless of whether I agree with them or not. After all, they are on their own journey's through this world. I respect that.
Keep looking up. : ) AJ
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