Self-respect is every persons right. Its free & it makes us feel good about ourselves. Yet, most people choose not to have it in their lives. Some would rather function well away from self-respect & live in some false, synthetic, world where reality & harshness do not exist. This type long to stay away from those that breath the air of dignity & self-respect. Sometimes its hard to admit that were not where we want to be, or that we made mistakes in the past that are still affect the present, but being honest about who you are is the only real way to rectify that inner demon & let others know who we really are. Introducing dignity into our lives is a process. It can be as easy or as difficult as we choose. This is because dignity is borne from pain, loss & sadness. But its work that essential if we are to lead a full & healthy life away from the negative, controlling aspect of those that have little or no self-respect. The immature. For, the person who has self-respect is an honest person & honest people do not arouse suspicion in others, nor do they get lost around another`s honesty & those same people crave to be near other honest people. If making decisions in your life does not enable you to feel good about yourself then honesty from the inside out is going to be the only route to a better life. Today, when I look at those people that enter my life, the path I am on & those I call my friends, I know that I have found my own self-respect. I know this because I like those people. They make me feel good & so my decision to have them as friends is the right one. Its taken a while & lots of frustration, but I am humbled by the journey I have been on to arrive at where I am now. Its a powerful thing to know that I am alone & must ultimately rely upon myself to get to where I want to be. But its also essential if I am to be an asset in life, not only to myself, but others too. Self- respect is about being real & honest with ourselves. This is something that resides in me. And, when I look at you, I know that it resides there too.