Feeling Respected

Arrogance is an amazing character trait isn’t it! I have recently had the pleasure of spending some time with a few people who insist they are always correct, more intelligent, and generally superior then the others around them. In the past I might have found this offensive but with a little introspection I can see how I have exhibited these same characteristics myself in the past, therefore how could I be offended?

In fact I now find arrogance humorous. What’s interesting is that the smartest people I know are never arrogant. Whether its my fellow math teacher who has an amazingly complete understanding of measure theory, my Doctor at John Hopkins University who is one of the top specialists in his field, or one of my Church members who sees EVERYTHING from a spiritual point of view…they all default to a diminutive or measured pause when I speak to them.

There is something comforting about their doing this. I feel respected when they pause before responding because it acknowledges there is value in my question (its not just a stupid thought not worth their time).

I hope as I continue to grow I find more ways to show people I respect them with my actions, not just my words.