Dignity is the inherent worth and value possessed by every individual, regardless of their background, belief, or circumstances. Dignity demands that we treat one another with respect and compassion. When we acknowledge and honour the dignity of others, we create an environment that fosters understanding, inclusivity and harmony.
On his first day in office as President, when Abraham Lincoln entered to give his inaugural address, one man stood up. He was a rich aristocrat. He said, “Mr. Lincoln, you should not forget that your father used to make shoes for my family”. And the whole Senate laughed, they thought they had made a fool of Lincoln. But certain people are made of a totally different mettle. Lincoln looked at the man directly in the eyes and said, “Sir, I know that my father used to make shoes for your family, and there will be many others here, because he made shoes the way nobody else can. He was a creator. His shoes were not just shoes, he poured his whole soul into them. I want to ask you, have you any complaint ? Because I know how to make shoes myself. If you have any complaint I can make you another pair of shoes. But as far as I know, nobody has ever complained about my father’s shoes. He was a genius, a great creator and I am proud of my father.”
The whole Senate was struck dumb. They could not understand what kind of man Abraham Lincoln was. He was proud because his father did his job so well that not even a single complaint had ever been heard.
Remember: “No one can hurt you without your consent.”
It is not what happens to us that hurts us. It is our response that hurts us.
Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it.