Showing Honor

A sign of a healthy society is that people show honor where honor is due.

In America, we have special days set aside to honor various groups of people. Presidents. Mothers. Fathers. Fallen heroes. Grandparents. Bosses. Administrative Professionals. Veterans.

Such days are meant as outcroppings of the love and respect that we ought to show one another every day. A healthy society honors individuals continually, not only for what they do, but for who they are.

We honor the President of the United States because he is the leader of our nation, not because we agree or disagree with him.

We honor mothers, fathers, and grandparents because they have paved the way before us, and are given to us to lead, love, nurture, care for, and teach us.

We honor bosses because they lead. We honor administrative professionals because they serve.

We honor veterans and fallen heroes because they committed their lives and their freedom to protect the lives and freedom of others.

We ought similarly to honor all who lead and serve us. Doctors. Sales clerks. Waitresses. Flight attendants. Firefighters. Police officers. Teachers. Coaches. Janitors. Groundskeepers. Coworkers. Classmates. We don't honor them for what they've done or haven't done. We honor them for the position they've taken - the commitment they've made to lead and to serve. We honor them for their natural position as fellow human beings, worthy of dignity and honor. We honor them because we ourselves are men and women of honor.

When we show honor to others, we show ourselves honorable, and we ourselves receive honor. By honoring others, by thanking them, by appreciating them, we empower them to continue to lead and serve us well. We give them a reason to honor us.

Honor improves the way we lead, the way we serve, the way we live.

Happy Veteran's Day. Show honor today.