This morning I woke up with a question in my mind:
Who do you admire, and why?
I’d never really asked myself this question in exactly this way before, but the answers started pouring in, almost faster than I could hear them. People I love (both those close to me, and those I admire from afar) popped into my head, one after another, in no particular order.
Elise, because of the way she weaves creativity into her everyday life, and because of the way she gets. it. done.
Sarah, because she thinks outside the box, follows her own North star, and makes time for what makes her happiest.
Oprah, because she is committed to having the conversations we didn’t even know we needed to hear, is willing to be ahead of her time, and always, always puts first things first.
Seth, because of his consistency and dedication to his craft, and because he’s carved out his own path in life by being intelligent and paying close attention.
Glennon, because she always tells the Truth.
My mom, because she walks the walk, values work-life balance, and goes outside every single day.
My dad, because he makes time to read every day, and because he will unfailingly sit down and explain something to you for hours if you need help or advice.
Lindsay, because she is confidently and 100% herself.
Bron, because she’s an amazing listener, is so thoughtful, and always takes the time to make the best snacks.
Katie, because she’s incredibly kind to herself, looks for the positive in every single situation, and is continually curious and fascinated about the world.
Laura, because she is so enthusiastic and passionate about the things she cares about, and is always up for a deep & juicy conversation.
Sonja, because she lives in a constant atmosphere of growth, always does what she knows to be true, and is generous with the people she loves.
Dylan, because he is kind and loyal, and totally unafraid to honour all the parts of himself that love & need different things at different times. “I am large; I contain multitudes.”
Erin, because she believes in herself, truly lives by her values, and is committed to bringing more beauty and awareness into the world.
Kim, because she has dedicated her life to helping others, takes self-care seriously, and is simultaneously both spiritual and practical.
Susan, because she practices what she preaches, is always fair, and remembers to tell you when you’ve done a great job.
Obviously this is just a smattering of people I respect and admire, there are many, many more. As I’ve said before (but is worth repeating daily): I feel lucky every day for the people I have in my life. I could go on and on about them.
What I love about this question is that not only is it an exercise in gratitude and thoughtfulness about these amazing humans, it’s also a beautiful way for me to reflect on my own values. It helps me see what is important to me: authenticity, generosity, kindness, creativity, awareness, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, positivity, growth, humility, commitment to walking the path.
These are the qualities that I want more of, both in myself and in the world. This is who I want to be. Who do you admire? Who do you want to be more like?
