Hello November,

Yesterday, an older woman went to vote and shared her experience of being guided to a voting booth by staff, who treated her "with great dignity." Despite the long line of voters from all age groups, she noticed a spirit of support and camaraderie—everyone there was united in their commitment to the democratic right to vote.

I was thrilled to witness this firsthand in Chicago, where voting judges demonstrated respect for each person’s value within the electoral process. In a society that often prioritizes health, wealth, and success, people can find themselves judged by these standards. When those labels fade, ageism and ableism can shape interactions, as if individuals have an expiration date: “Good until….”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone were treated with dignity simply because they exist? This ideal aligns with the teachings of yoga, particularly the concepts of yama (social attitudes) and niyama (individual attitudes) as outlined by Patanjali. To foster a culture of dignity, you must act with non-violence, honesty, moderation, and avoid prioritizing things over people. As a result, others will treat you similarly. It’s not enough to hope for kindness; we must also extend it to others.

These attitudes, paired with the individual attitudes of cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-reflection, and a belief in something greater than ourselves, can help us cultivate a sense of dignity both within ourselves and in our interactions with others. It’s a reminder that dignity is not a privilege for the few; it’s for everyone. And it begins with each of us. Let’s not wait for the other person to begin.