Think of someone you admire. Don’t take a lot of time with the exercise. Just let your mind wander over some names, sort of like flipping through a Rolodex. Now pick someone and, in your mind, form an image of that person. Say a few words, silently, about why you admire the person you selected.
I bet you selected someone you know.
There are various reasons we might admire someone. Perhaps she has achieved something important. Maybe he has overcome a difficult challenge. Perhaps she hasn’t overcome a challenge but instead has kept a healthy attitude and spirit, despite challenges. Or maybe he just has a value or personality trait that we find uplifting.
Inspiration from others is all around us. There are historical figures, people we encounter through some type of biography or reference material. There are contemporaries, people we learn about or follow through media. Scientists, religious and spiritual leaders, artists, athletes, explorers, teachers, nurses, caregivers – there are many types of people who serve or may serve as wellsprings for motivation.
For me, I prefer one additional category of people who inspire: people like you. No – let me rephrase that. Not people like you. You. Actually, you. When I think of people I admire, I think of you.
Sure, I can’t actually know everyone who will read this. That doesn’t matter. Because, as I write this, I’m thinking of who I’d like to read this. And that means that I’m thinking of specific people – many of you – who have done or regularly do things that I find inspirational.
Here’s just one example. I know a young woman, a teenager, who has a chronic health condition that poses daily problems and difficulties. Do those problems get this teen down? You bet. Do they keep her down? Nope. She loves to dance and often, despite how she feels, she pushes herself to attend her ballet classes, even if she feels about to pass out. I admire the courage that she demonstrates, almost every day, when medicines aren’t effective or things just aren’t working out. She presses on. She gets out of bed, she tries to find a smile, and then she tries to find her footing, for today, for what comes next. It’s frustrating, no doubt. Even so, she doesn’t lose hope. She doesn’t think too far forward. She keeps trying to move forward. Today.
I watch you. Don’t misunderstand: I’m not going around with some sort of clipboard, grading your performance. I have no great ability to judge character or to comment on anyone else’s behavior; I have enough shortcomings of my own. Which is why I am learning to notice, as much as I can, the amazing capabilities that you have. You aren’t perfect; that’s not the point. You just embody life-affirming values, you try and you often act in ways that represent life at its most fundamental, its most virtuous. Too often the world teaches us to criticize, to notice the shortcomings in others. You teach me to cherish, to appreciate the strengths and qualities in each other that make me want to be better, that help me pick myself up when I realize how much room I have to improve.
So please accept this humble note of thanks. Every time you rise above yourself, every moment that you are kind, gentle, courageous, insightful, ingenious, perseverant, innovative, strong, and, most importantly, forgiving – you amaze me. Every time you embody a life of virtue and principles, even in the smallest of ways, you open an opportunity for me to act the same way.
You inspire me.
I admire you.