2. Respect the freedom of others.

The more we evolve, the more we feel the need to be free. We can dictate a lot of things to children, we can impose a lot of rules on them; they are docile by nature. Adolescents desire freedom and may even display some violence against those who want to dominate them. Adults may speak less, but they too want freedom and respect for their initiatives.

We can help others by our love, by our understanding, by sharing information when it is requested. Advice guides, information respects freedom. What we can do to help is to create an atmosphere of freedom and trust, an atmosphere of warmth, of love around friends by allowing them to remain what they are whether they are positive or negative. A day will come when they will feel the need to change in order to find personal freedom.

To allow others their freedom is to guarantee oneself against isolation, it is to free oneself. We are free as long as those around us are free.

Our job is to develop our understanding and listening skills as naturally as possible; let's practice this with people who are empathetic, genuine and understanding; people with whom we can talk, share and express ourselves without needing to justify what we say.

From the Volunteers of God Collection
Group associated with the Secular Institute, the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

Trust… but why?    part 1. Welcome and accept the other as he is, unconditionally
Trust… but why?    part 3. Trust.
Conclusion of the articles "Trust ... 1-2-3"