Honoring myself

Every time I want to understand a word, I turn to the dictionary:

What does honoring someone mean?

a. To regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect; to regard or treat with honor.
b. To give special recognition to; to confer honor on.

Have I been respecting and admiring myself?

This can be a loaded question, so let’s take a step back and follow a coaching principle: focus on today and the future while leaving the past where it belongs—behind us.

As I age, I notice my mind embarking on a new journey, one I never consciously practiced before—slowing down and savoring the routine, the small moments, and my surroundings.

I am learning to respect my body and adapt my mind to what it can do now. For context, I was an athlete. A rock climber and a mountaineer, with over 15 high-altitude expeditions under my belt. I was fit. I still am, in many ways—I walk every day, I downhill bike in the summer, and I can stand-up paddleboard for two or three hours in the heat. But I can no longer carry a heavy backpack and hike for 12 hours straight. However, I can still carry a smaller pack and trek up a mountain for a few hours.

My body aches, but my mind is as active as ever. I enjoy solitude. I deeply cherish the company of my dachshund, Bruce—you have no idea how much I love when he takes me out for walks!

As I write this, it’s the middle of a Canadian winter. It’s -12°C outside, and for the first time in almost 14 years, I’ve decided not to go downhill skiing. It was a conscious choice. To fill my time, I’ve returned to knitting and crocheting. I devour books, sometimes two or three at a time—reading is my oldest habit. I go for daily walks and indulge in the hot tub a few times a week. I work 40 hours a week, fit in a yin yoga session when I can, and keep my tiny house in order. I cook. And I live.

And you? How have you been honoring yourself?