"If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die"
--Maya Angelou

Respect (n.) c.1300, from the Latin word respectus "regard," literally the "act of looking back at one," pp. of respicere "look back at, regard, consider," from re- "back" + specere "look at". The verb is 1540s, from the noun. Meaning "treat with deferential regard or esteem" is from 1550s.

The word developed at the height of age of enlightenment, but the essence is as old as human civilization.

Respect is considered as the foundation of any human relationship. Without respect, no marriage will ever prosper and bear fruit. Without respect, a family will cease to function as a unit of society. Without respect, members of a community will fight against each other.

But more importantly, respect is the basis of our relationship with the self – including our body. One of the most debated issues today is whether a person has a right to health care, meaning at a certain level a person can demand from the government the appropriate support so that he or she remains healthy. But before health is considered a right, it is anchored on the person’s responsibility to take care of his own health and wellness.

This is what respect is all about. But how do you develop self-respect, especially for the body:

Here are some strategies to use:

1. Do something good for your body. This includes such essential commitments like eating properly, sleeping well and doing the necessary exercise. If you do this regularly, your body will express its gratitude and you feel good about yourself.

2. Use your body to do good deeds. It is as simple as hugging a tired friend or lifting a disabled relative.

3. Keep a body resolution. This includes our own commitment to stop smoking, or minimize alcohol, or stop drugs.

4. Become an expert of your own body. At a certain age, you should know what the body wants. If you listen well to our body, you know what it needs. You know what food to avoid. You know the people who perk you up.

5. Challenge yourself physically. Do something that you think you are incapable of doing. It could be mountain-climbing or sailing or anything that you wanted to do but do not have the confidence to do it.

Author's Bio: 

Cathrine Margit Moller was born and raised in Denmark
She began her career in radio and television, and worked in that capacity until moving to Canada in 1998.

For the past twenty-six years, she has pursued a career in the healing arts at the same time, focusing on alternative health care and healing. By training under some of the leading wellness experts in the world, Cathrine keeps escalating her quest toward personal excellence, so she can offer you the best of the healing arts. This has included studies in Denmark, the U.S., Canada, and England, studying under leading experts in alternative medicine.

Her background in hypnotherapy is extensive. In 1999, she was certified Hypnotist by the 'National Guild of Hypnotists' and certified Master Hypnotist at the 'Ontario Hypnosis Centre' in 2000. Her work in hypnosis and hypnotherapy is diverse, and includes clinical use of hypnosis designed to empower her clients in areas ranging from the stresses and problems of their everyday lives, to past life regressions, and Self-Hypnosis training. She has also been certified as a hypnocoach by Dr. Lisa Halpin.
Her expertise also includes Somatic Healing, Reconnective Healing, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), NGH, and Reiki, all of which offer powerful but simple solutions to a range of physical and emotional issues. She also offers NLP, which offers additional access to identifying self-limiting behaviors. These techniques are discussed at more length elsewhere on this site.

Her Personal Mission Statement
Cathrine sees people as incredible beings of infinite potential, whom she can empower and guide toward fulfilling on their goals and their dreams. As an Intuitive, Cathrine knows the Universe and trusts it to steer her in the right direction. Her goal is to help people, and enable them to find their full potential, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Her greatest joy is in seeing a person evolve into all they can become, on every level.

She looks for the miracles in everyday life, and uses them to connect strongly to the forces that enable her to tap into the forces that have shaped a person’s life. As an intuitive, she uses her abilities to uncover the old and unproductive patterns that keep people “stuck,” working with them to purge the unproductive patterns that entrap them.

Cathrine’s own life has had personal challenges that have informed and transformed her, the most significant being when she was diagnosed with apparent MS. Rather than regarding this as a limitation, she has embraced it and used for personal transformation. Working with it in her personal practice, she has not only brought herself back to good health, but has used it to inform and illuminate her life’s path