I've heard some people say that respect is something that has to be earned and not given. I do have to admit that when I hear that, it makes me wonder why why and how they came to believe in that concept.

I come from a different point of view, where I believe that respect should be given to all people right from the beginning- meaning that we should respect everyone and show respect to them right from the beginning. By saying "everyone", I mean all people including our family members, friends and even strangers.

You Don't Have to Fit In

When I was a young boy, all I wanted to do is fit in with the rest of the kids in town and at school. I basically just wanted to be like everyone else and not stand out as different.

I was a Hispanic person living in a white neighborhood and going to a white school. There weren't any other people like me around. I also felt different than the other kids in other ways, but I'd discover why later on in my teens when I realized I was gay. [Read More...]

Inspirational & Self-HelpTJJuly 15, 2017acceptance, confidence, attitudes, uniqueness, self expression, thetjinitiative, the tj initiative, true, respectComment