These three simple words have significant meaning, but they are all too often overlooked. As individuals, I believe we have a duty to be respectful to each other, to be responsible for our actions and to empower each other, and ourselves, to be the best we can be. And this is also important in our role as attorneys.

Today, it seems that we as a society have lost sight of the value and power of these three words: Respect. Responsibility. Empowerment. In day-to-day activities, people often forget that daily niceties, such as a simple thank you, a smile, or simply being courteous, can go a long way. Technology, in many ways, can isolate us even more. We can see this in how computers, mobile devices and internet communications have impacted young people to the extent that they have lost many of the social skills that people learn through direct person-to-person interaction.

As cliché as it may sound, children are our future, whether we gave birth to them or not. As a society, we have a responsibility to insure that children have a future. Our world is changing rapidly and as confusing as it may be for adults, it can be even more overwhelming for children and young adults who are trying to discover who they are, while at the same time functioning in a world that at times, seems out of control.

Young people learn through experience and by example. More and more, through financial necessity, parents often work long hours to provide economic security and do not have as much time to spend with their children as they would like. If the majority of examples that young people receive are from the media, the internet and their peers, positive reinforcement of core values is all to often sacrificed. When this happens, many young people fall through the cracks and don't develop the sense of confidence and self-esteem that is needed for them to successfully navigate their way through life.

As attorneys, we are in the unique position to change that. We can be advocates for those who need a voice. We can inspire people to find their voice and in the process, we, in turn, find ours.

There are two quotes from Mahatma Gandhi that speak to how we can implement the power of respect, responsibility and empowerment.

The first is: "You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing there will be no results."

The second quotation from Mahatma Gandhi is one with which I'm sure you are all acquainted: "We must become the change we want to see in the world."

If we expect to receive respect, then we must be respectful. If we want others to be responsible, we must be responsible. And if we want to empower others, we too must be empowered to make that change and make a difference.