—Articles by Debbie Grace Kemp —

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Taking Time to Honor Ourselves
The promise of an exhilarating New Year is upon us. How we choose to honor ourselves through self-care can have an enormous impact on how we experience the coming year. Honoring ourselves is the foundation for a rich and fulfilling life.
For those who have mastered the exquisite art of self-care life becomes a canvas with which we create our own masterpiece. For others, amidst responsibilities and hectic schedules self-care is a forgotten art. The physical, spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of SELF need regular nurturing. With the energy of the New Year, perhaps it's time to place you at the top of your priority list.
Once we are top priority, we must look within to determine what the phrase "HONOR MYSELF" means. What currently nourishes you? What doesn't? Do you take great care of your physical body, but neglect the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of yourself? The simple act of defining this phrase begins a journey into self-discovery.

Below are a few activities that can nourish multiple aspects of SELF simultaneously:

• Breathe (yes, just breathe)
• Walk in a natural setting
• Create moments of solitude
• Enjoy a nutritious meal (focus on the taste, smell, textures, etc.)
• Plan a trip (and take it)
• Take a class
• Receive a massage
• Fill in the blanks - let your imagination soar!

As we focus on what honors and nourishes SELF, examining our beliefs and perceptions about worth is key. Do you feel guilty about taking time for yourself? Do you place everyone's needs above your own? Are you waiting for someone else to honor and care for you? Our beliefs about our worth and our ability to honor and care for SELF are intimately connected. To honor yourself, is to honor all of life.

Once we have determined what honors us and have excavated any limiting thoughts from our mind, creating time for self-care is the next step. Incorporating some simple strategies into your life can create significant changes in the way you spend your time. A few suggestions include:

• Committing to a regular "date" with yourself.
• Say no to activities that don't nourish you
(this should create some time in you life)
• Spend time engaged in activities that honor you
• Create your own strategy

As our lives fill with experiences that honor SELF, that which does not honor us will naturally begin to fall away, enabling us to slow down and fully appreciate the richness of our lives. May the coming year be filled with new experiences and SELF-discoveries. Resources for further reading:

• Time Shifting - Stephen Rechtschaffen
• Take Time for Your Life - Cheryl Richardson
• The Circle of Simplicity - Cecile Andrews