to respect and be respected

We live in a world of lies. 1

People can't be just be who they are even if they want to. Because of one word - discrimination. I mean discrimination is everywhere - racial, sexual, financial, religious, and whatever kind of discrimination that close-minded people have invented. There are people who think that they are better than everybody else. What could be more stupid than that?2

Hundreds of wars and thousands of battles have been fought because people couldn't just respect each other. We hold different opinions. We are all different. That is true. But couldn't we at least respect each other? I don't mean that you should go out and shake the hands of people that you really hate and talk with them even if you really don't want to. That's totally absurd and you will be acting like a hypocrite. What I mean is that couldn't we just let people be? As long as they are not harming us or anybody else, then let them express themselves.3

We say that we are free and that we can be free, but that's not absolutely true. I mean how many of us wanted to join a club or a group of friends but couldn't because others have labeled us as 'nerds' or 'bullies' or some other name? How many times have we wanted to tell people what we really feel or show who we really are but we could not because if we do, other people or even our family wouldn't accept us anymore? How many times have we lied and pretended to be somebody else just so people would respect and admire us? 4

This is not a free world. This is not a world wherein we want to live. Sometimes, I just hate the world so much and I want to blame everybody and everything. But then, I start to think that we are all victims and criminals at the same time. Ironic isn't it? But it's actually true. 5

We live in a world of lies. Because the truth is, many of us haven't been really honest with ourselves. We do something to make the impression that we are tough and strong (maybe because of our pride or ego), but deep inside we know who we really are. That we are not that tough. That we need the love and respect of other people. That's why many people (including me) are so lonely and we find ourselves crying and we don't know why.6

We live in an unfair world. Truly unfair. Others just throw their excess food while others have barely enough food to it. Many people are not given a chance to prove themselves. Because they're too young or too old, poor, not good-looking, or even because they have a different nationality or religion. I can rant all day if I want. I can live my whole life complaining and whining about how bad the world is. But I'm not going to do that. 7

I promised myself that I'm going to do something, make a positive difference in this world. Make an impact, do something really great or influence people to do one thing - and that  is to respect each other. We can't love everybody - that's just hard to do. But there's one thing that we can contribute to make this world better, maybe that is to respect each other. And it takes a great deal of honesty, humility, and courage to do that.8

When we were born in this world, we instantly had a right and a responsibility. And that is to respect and be respected. 9

Let me share with you something that I truly believe in. "We shouldn't be ashamed to show our true selves, because to be who you are is to be perfect." 10

I made it myself and I'm not sure if anybody will even agree with me. But well, it's my opinion.11