The respect I’m trying to earn is my own respect.
The admiration I’m trying to earn is my own admiration.
The approval I’m trying to earn is my own approval.
The acceptance I’m trying to earn is my own acceptance.
The understanding I’m trying to earn is my own understanding.
The connection I’m trying to earn is my own connection.
The love I’m trying to earn is my own love.
I don’t need other people to grant it to me. In fact they can’t. In the end, I have to grant it to myself. And I can do that at any time.
And the beautiful thing is: I don’t even need to earn it. Respect, admiration approval, acceptance, understanding, connection and love are always there, whether I grant it to myself or not. If I want it, all I have to do is drop my story and notice what is.