Lately I’ve been thinking alot about honoring people. There are so many ways to honor others. We honor those who struggled in the past to make today better, easier, and more just. We honor our relatives and how they helped to shape our family and personal history. We honor veterans who served our country. We honor the front line workers who have kept us healthy during the pandemic. We honor the everyday people who serve their communities and people in need.

It’s important and valuable to honor all of these people - past and present. But do we also honor ourselves? Do we recognize all of the things we do to take care of the people we love? Do we acknowledge the contributions we make to our community? Do we honor ourselves by doing even little things that make us happy?

There are so many small ways to honor ourselves; it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly. Light a scented candle when you get home to make it feel cozy. Play your favorite dance tunes or a podcast while you cook. Actually cooking yourself a meal is also an important way to honor yourself and your body. Don’t have time for a 60 minute yoga class? Spending just 10 minutes stretching will still yield benefits. Don’t want to pay for a yoga class? Check YouTube or on demand options from your TV provider. Hit up your local library for books - print or digital. No matter if it’s fiction or nonfiction, reading encourages relaxation and pleasure.

Have a busy night ahead of you? After you get home and before the evening’s activities consume you, take a short walk outside to notice how Spring is unfolding. Go to bed a little earlier once or twice a week. Instead of desperately hitting the snooze button for ten more minutes of sleep, get those extra ten minutes the night before. Sleep is one of the best ways to honor yourself.

No matter how you choose to spend some time focusing on yourself, what’s most important is that you do it.