Eunoia (Heart work pays off)

We’re often taught that “respect” is a virtue. A mark of maturity. A foundation for connection. But sometimes, what we call “respect” is actually something else entirely: avoidance, fear, self-abandonment, or compliance dressed in polite behavior.  Disrespectful respect is the kind of "respect" that honors others while quietly dishonoring the self.  It is the moment we smile when we feel violated. It is the silence we offer in the face of injustice.  It is the deferential tone we adopt to avoid confrontation, even when our boundaries are being crossed. It is peace on the surface and a storm beneath it. When respect becomes self-betrayal: True respect is mutual. It is rooted in honesty, boundaries, and dignity on both sides.  Disrespectful respect emerges when: We suppress our truth to “keep the peace” We allow manipulation or mistreatment under the guise of being “respectful” We equate silence with virtue We uphold hierarchy over humanity We giv...