Respect the property of others.

Respect for your belongings and the property of others is important.

Respect for yourself includes caring for your belongings. Likewise, respect for others includes consideration for their property.  How you treat possessions demonstrates your appreciation for them and their value. This applies to items that have been given to you, as well as items you have purchased with your own wages. When you pay for items out of your own earnings, you are likely more respectful of the effort it took to purchase them.

Consider the effort it took for your parents to be able to pay for the things you want and need. That may include clothing as well as cell phones, musical instruments, and other items. Do not take their efforts for granted. For example, how you care about your clothes directly reflects how much you value what has been given to you.

Apply the same sentiment to services such as dental care and braces, which often require significant expense to your parents. Following your dentist's instructions on care shows respect for what you have received.

Extend this principle to caring about the property of others. The goal is simple: Choose to care about people and their possessions and do not take either for granted. Likewise, be respectful of their efforts to maintain and care for their property.
Throwing litter on a lawn shows disrespect for the owner and their labors to make that setting attractive. Additionally, someone has to cleanup the leftover mess.

Reflect for a few moments on what it says about you if you disrespect the property of others. Disposing of leftover food by tossing it on someone’s lawn is a good example. What is a person thinking when he acts in this manner? What does such an action suggest about their maturity? What should you do if you witness someone abusing the property of others?

Carefully consider the importance of respecting the property of others.

The REAP Formula reflects key considerations for growing in healthy ways.  The letters stand for Respect, Empathy, Appreciation, and Politeness. Learning to embrace these traits provides a blueprint for respecting yourself, relating to others in positive ways, and personal growth.

For further ideas, blogs, and tactics, check the information available at our website: hightouchlearning.com.