Who is your role model? – And – What super hero do you identify with?
These two questions have been asked of me in job interviews. My short answer is that I don’t have a role model and I do not truly identify with a fictitious super hero.
My role model is everyone and no one. This person that is me is a result of immeasurable encounters with others, mostly people, but some other creatures as well. To name one person is a disservice to all the others who have influenced me over these many years. Also, to name just one person is to place an unfair burden of expectation on that identified person. Asking someone to be the role model dad, mom, partner, co-worker, neighbor, etc. is unrealistic. To acknowledgment that someone has provided a positive influence on your life is, perhaps, a more gentile way of expressing your gratitude.
Another thought is that to state that someone is a role model is a way of saying to yourself that you want to be like someone else. I don’t want to be like someone else, I want to be me. I want and strive to accept and acknowledge me for my good qualities as well as my flawed attributes. It seems that there is a song somewhere in here!
Further reflection evokes thoughts of different aspects of my existence. I wonder about who has been most influential in my understanding various components that make up my life.
Love: I did not understand the full depth of love until my children were born. Only then did I get the connection to how the nurturing spirit of love extends beyond my physical being and comes from past generations and passes along to generations to come. The spirit of the family connections continues to travel on and never ends. Each of us is a result of some loving encounter, even if it was only for a brief moment, I am convinced one does not make it to adulthood without some small measure of love and nurturing. Many of us probably have forgotten it and it has been pushed out of consciousness because of unfortunate events, but I cling to the thought that love is there for each of us to embrace.
Best friend: I have been blessed with many people who have provided endearing, loving, and lasting friendships, but I am not sure how I can identify only one of them as being the best. Each friend brings to me countless and immeasurable blessings. It is impossible to say that one is the best. Maybe that is why we say that a dog is man’s best friend; it relieves us of the burden to name a particular person.
Teaching: Early in my career I was a school teacher. There were many people that had an interest in my success as a teacher and provided professional guidance. A few individuals stand out, but after many years of reflection, I have undeniably come to the conclusion that the students were, and still are, my role models. They showed up every day and demanded the best from me and taught me lessons about relationships that influence me even to this day over 30 years later.
Corporate professional work: Again there were many people from whom I benefited in the development of my skills and knowledge. The benefits were many and varied. A general review includes aspects such as: great abstract thinker, creative writer, orator, a person of action and accomplishment, visionary, leadership, knowledgeable, relationship builder, etc. Each person earned my respect for their excellent qualities and they received my empathy for the challenges they faced.
Sports: The people in sports who have influenced me probably do not even realize they provided inspiration for me. My primary sports focus are running and bicycling. In running I never consider the elite runners worthy of my attention. I found inspiration in those that were not gifted physically, but displayed great determination to accomplish their goal of completing a race. It is most evident in marathon running. The true stories of grit and will power are in the back of the pack. I believe as a society we give too much credence to the winners and not enough to those that tried and failed, for therein lies the strength of an individual to overcome the bitter disappointment and to try again.
Spiritualism: This is one area where I am convinced that no one sphere of dogma is better than another. I could provide a long list of all the dominate religions of our time and I could spend a life time listing the benefits and the aspersions of each. It appears to work for some people that embracing one strict dogma at the exclusion of others is best and I am happy for them. However, my heart tells me otherwise because I believe in a limitless exploration of our connections to this thing called life.
Super hero: To me identifying with a super hero is wishful thinking. The super heroes of life are those that are performing a service to others without the exalted recognition. The megalomaniacs who crave recognition on a grand scale are out of touch with the masses. The small gestures of kindness and care are what give meaning to our existence.
Blogging: I am still working on this one!
Thank you for reading. I hope you have a wonderful experience today and every day henceforth.
What is there to say about me? I am not sure if I am typical or not, average or not, smart or not, BUT I think I definitely have a sense of humor. I am an aging baby boomer wondering if I have something to say about the world as I see it.
fillsmusings 
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