Editor's note: The original version of this column was published Sept. 11, 2004.

The longer I live, the more convinced I become that self-respect and respect for others are crucial to our growth over a lifetime. Both are fundamental to nurturing other human values. Yet respect is diminishing everywhere.

Like a garden lacking water or sunshine, a life without earned or inherent respect for everything that exists can make for a stunted and miserable existence. I suspect that creates more woes for humanity than any other shortcoming I can imagine.

Some might say the capacity to love is more crucial than respect. To that I respond that love cannot flourish without respect. Yet respect can exist without love.

From my observations, when respect fades in any relationship, the next building blocks to tumble are admiration and affection. Indications of missing respect are evident even to the untrained eye. People begin to take each other for granted. They begin to speak hateful words and express petty resentments rather than simply letting them go.

It's interesting that when respect starts to slide, people begin to resent and become irritated by many of the same traits they initially found charming and attractive in........

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