A man describes how his response to disrespect changed from immediate retaliation to self-control. He once believed any slight required a violent response to protect his ego. Now he sees that walking away from conflict is strength, not weakness, and the person he wants to be.
If somebody disrespects you, what does that mean? Look, she's shaking her head like, you just, you gonna get it, right? Yeah. And when I was younger, I had a long list of stuff that I would not be disrespected for. But then you get older and you learn like that list is like that small now, right? Outside of you trying to put your hands on me, you could probably get away with anything 'cause I don't give you that kind of power. But if you buck up against me and I determine something's being disrespectful, what is the next thing I'm gonna do? Based on what I believe about disrespect, where I come from, I don't have no choice but to cause harm to you. At least that's what my old belief is. My new belief says you can have that. Right. Right? But it wasn't until I updated that and processed that, that I could be the man that I am today. Doesn't mean I'm weak, soft, punk, none of that. Like I said earlier, I'm giving you a pass for both of us.
I was literally kicked off a Southwest flight before for being disrespectful.
