Embody Honor: Feed the Cow

I’m collecting stories and would love to add yours!

In Practice #2 of the Joy-Based Living Beginner’s Guide E-book, we “Feed the COW” (Container of Worthiness) by noticing moments of HONOR.

Specifically noticing the embodied sensation YOU experience when you witness HONOR or act honorably. According to Dr. Mario Martinez, HONOR is the healing field for the archetypal wound of shame.

If you google HONOR, you’ll see that most of the images are related to the military. I would like to see us change that.

The advantages to embodying honor are many

Your immune system is boosted, you become more mentally alert, you feel more emotionally and spiritually connected, and your relationships begin to reflect more joy. You’ll find yourself making better choices as you begin to perceive more honor in yourself and in others.

I am collecting stories because I find that while reading someone else’s story of HONOR, I embody the empowering and uplifting sensations in myself.

The following examples are unedited and shared with permission:

“I experience honor when I practice self-care, get good rest/sleep, eat nutritional foods, and stay away from negative people. I’ve also witnessed honor recently in a ceremony at Standing Rock, ND, where a group of veterans knelt down in front of some of the tribal elders and asked forgiveness for the atrocities that have been perpetrated on them from the military and the govt. I think it is fairly easy for me to experience honor. In my body it feels like my chest and heart expand to way beyond my physical body, and there might also be tears of joy and a feeling of : ‘this is the right thing to do/say/be at this moment.’”

– deJoly LaBrier

At the end of Sunday service, the reverend would bless us:

24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24–26New International Version (NIV)

That blessing would make me feel whole. It was an expansive experience for me. Every week, in that moment my tiny container of worthiness was expanded momentarily.
To me, it feels like being part of something bigger. I feel like I’m sitting in my soul, I feel peace in body and mind. I experience it when I say silent blessings for people I meet, or when I bless myself with self-care, when I see myself and others as blessings .Basically anytime I allow myself to see through the eyes of God and express that.
I love recognizing it and it really will love practicing this one.

– Hermien Vos

Practice #2 from the E-book
Question(s) for journaling (privately and within our group conversation):
When have you experienced, expressed or witnessed HONOR?
How easy or difficult is it for you to experience honor?
Bonus: What does honor feel like, in your body?

Please share your own embodied experience of HONOR. Use the Practice Questions (above) as a guide.

With love,

Debbie Happy Cohen and Friends at Joy-Based Living