Any of the teen Girl Scouts I worked with when I was on the Navajo and Hopi lands and traveled with will recognize this saying. It is one I heard from when talking with a young woman, I say young, we were probably close to the same age, but I was younger then. We had met at a seminar in Chinle and the workshop we attended was one for those who serve on a board of an organization or group. It was very informative, but the best part was meeting that lady. I cannot remember her name now, but as we chatted, she told me about a teacher she had in high school. Above his door was the saying “Return with Honor” and how it resonated with her, shaped her life. It is a saying that I incorporated into mine own. And one I shared with my girls when we traveled. I always had it in the journals I gave them, and we would talk about it. What does honor mean to you? What do you think it means to return with honor? Even though we would embark on a week long trip, we discussed how it doesn’t have to be a big thing. Return with honor. Every time you leave – your house, your community, your state and even your country, how do you want to return? You are representative of not only yourself but your family, your people. Even if it’s just running out to the store to pick something up for dinner, it was as simple as acting in a way that would not bring shame to me. It would be acting honestly, respectfully. That I would return knowing that what I did that day, week, month would have been my best effort and I would return with honor. And it is something that I have never forgotten and strive to meet.