Respect and lack thereof

I have been learning about respect a lot lately. Really in terms of seeing it in a lack of.
I think it is super easy to see when something is missing, like color on your television or you best friend living in another state or country, but it is amazing how hard it is to truly see something that is there. The same would apply with respect. It is obvious when someone disrespects your or someone else. Often it is pretty dramatic. But how often do we see respect and acknowledge it? A "friend" of mine recently started a huge political rampage on my facebook wall. He is one of those my way or the highway types apparently with no respect for others. It hurts when you try and be open minded to others viewpoints and be understanding and stand you own ground to be made to feel as if you are completely wrong. It is infuriating to show respect and not be given any. I feel like respect is the source of a lot of problems, both religious and political and simply everyday things. Yet, it is the invisible source that no one acknowledges.
I found out how much I did not acknowledge the respect I was given or should give until I started writing thank you notes on a decently regular basis. A couple months ago I decided to try and write at least one a week to someone who wouldn't expect one. It was an amazing experience to see how someone affected my life in a positive manner. I would have never noticed what they had done for me if I hadn't taken the time not just to say thanks, but to compile a letter worthy of the postage.
I am a very hard worker with everything I do in life. I'm taking 21 hours of school and 40 hours of work. And that's just the basics. Not to mention the volunteering, the school involvement and leadership and such. This is no resume so I think it is safe to stop there, but clearly I am a busy person that works hard for the things I have. I sacrifice a lot for my future and when I see someone that hasn't done anything yet still receives the rewards, it hurts.
Deep.
It is a bother that trouble my soul. Petty I guess, but work is my life. I have always been told that working hard will get me places and these people who do not will never succeed.
I felt like justice was served recently when one of the many spoiled people in my life realized where they were going to be at post-graduation. Without work experience, degrees mean nothing. It is the sacrifice you make when you spend you college career socializing and playing with no balance of work. There is nothing wrong with this lifestyle. I love plenty of greek and non greek socialites that do not work, but they are the ones who are humble enough to accept their first jobs may be frontline. And probably not at a four star property.
It felt good. I guess I shouldn't be bitter, but when work is your life, it feels nice to see that justice is out there. Especially when I look around at faces that flunked out of their respective party schools and now are getting the same education I have, with half the gpa, double the debt, and living with the fact maybe they aren't better than the working slobs after all.
I know, it's mean.
And I got what I deserve I guess. After it all they got my dream job. The one I have been working towards since I chose Hospitality almost 5 years ago. The one I was advised I wasn't ready for yet for lack of experience. I understood. It is extremely competitive. Yet, to see someone with no work experience get this supposedly competitive internship that I have 3 years worth of valid work experience for and still not hitting the bar hurts.
I guess you just hit the point where you wonder why you even worked so hard for so long.