RESPECT
By: John (Jack) Bartsch

We all recognize the word. We can give examples for its use. But do we really understand the meaning? Let's take a moment to clarify its true meaning...

Respect for our parents…. With few exceptions we all say we recognize our parents with this word. They nurtured us in our infancy; they taught us what was bad for us and what was good. (Don’t put your finger in the electric socket; don't put your hand on the stove).

Our teachers in school were to be respected, mostly because we were taught so by our parents in the beginning, to do so. Next were our coaches for sports or academic clubs. We used the word for the Physician who kept us healthy. Again because our parents mentioned that they were responsible for our health.

We respected our Military training instructors, first out of fear, then for some of us, what they were trying to teach us. At this point some fell by the wayside!!

As adults, we have respect for co workers, now through experience, as they helped us through our learning process.

Now, as martial artists, we first learned this word again. I was taught to respect the Dojo( the training room). Well I bowed, but didn't really know why except it was mentioned that many before me trained there, and we should respect the floor on which they trained. That is a difficult concept. Next, as a "new guy", I was told to respect the Sensei of the Dojo. After all he has spent many years in training, and he was willing to pass it on to the likes of me.

I saw photos on the wall, we were told to respect them. I didn't recognize any of them. I did as I was told out of respect. I had not a clue as to why. I had sub-instructors, some I liked, and some I did not. But I was told to respect them. I got banged around by some, treated well by others, but I had to have respect for all above me.

Somewhere down the road, I finally found out what the word meant.

All those who brought me along my path, didn't command respect they earned it. My parents got me started on the correct road. My school teachers taught me to THINK!!! My martial arts instructors, good and the not so good, taught me how to and how NOT to teach.

I am a teacher, and have been a teacher in the Air Force, a martial arts teacher, as well as a secondary school system teacher.

I have had many teachers, but only one Sensei.