What began in 1861 as an effort to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers has become a solemn and respected American tradition. Memorial Day, the last Monday of every May, is the date we set aside to honor all the military men and women who have died in service to our country. In the century and a half since that first observance, we have expanded the focus of Memorial Day to also honor living veterans, and those currently serving in the military.
In star-spangled ceremonies around the country, American flags are respectfully lowered to half-staff in the morning, then raised to their full height in the afternoon. The action honors the sacrifices of the dead, and symbolizes that the commitment to fight to protect our nation’s freedom lives on.
Besides celebrating American patriotism, this holiday invites us to focus on a core spiritual and social value – the act of Honoring. On Memorial Day in cemeteries around the nation, many families tenderly honor all loved ones in spirit, not just veterans, placing colorful flowers on headstones, sharing happy memories and offering prayers of thanks.
When we honor someone, we’re acknowledging our faith in something greater than us. We’re recognizing that meritorious service, sacrifice, personal integrity and morality are to be respected and appreciated. We experience how the act of honoring others can bring us a sense of connection, peace and sacred continuity that endures even beyond physical death.
Those upon whom we bestow honor inspire and motivate us, and receive our gratitude. We acknowledge their leadership and importance in our lives.
As we honor others, we bring honor to ourselves. The commendable things we recognize in our war heroes and role models become the very values we start to model in our own behavior. Noting the integrity and leadership in another both consciously and subconsciously shifts our focus to see those values in ourselves, too. Our gratitude and reverence for them becomes the lens through which we begin to see our own lives.
This Memorial Day, while we’re honoring those who have lead the way, we have an opportunity to simultaneously honor ourselves by making smart choices to honor our own bodies, minds and spirits. Why limit this elevated awareness to a single day? EVERY day is the perfect time to honor ourselves, and live in the optimum joy of a purposeful, spiritual connection.
Learning how to make that connection in your body, mind, and spirit is what we share at the Optimum Health Institute. Honor yourself in a transformative environment at our missions in San Diego or Austin. We can help you achieve your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual goals for optimal health in 2013. Call us at (800) 993-4325 to make your reservation.