Who Do You Admire? (Part 2)

I hope that you took the opportunity to completed the list of people you admire and what captivating trait attracts you to each of them. In case you missed it, go to last week’s blog post with more detailed information about this exercise.

Here’s a recap of my list: 

1. Mother Theresa (minister to the poor, sick and dying around the world)

TRAIT: Unconditional love

It is so touching for me to see the many pictures of this dear woman treating each person she came into contact with as a precious jewel worthy of exquisite care and attention. (Jesus was a past choice here.)

2. Rosa Parks (called "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom)

TRAIT: Courage 

I am regularly attracted to people who stand up for what they believe in regardless of what others think and the potential consequences. Those who dig in deep and push forward no matter the obstacles to honor and uphold their truth. (Frederick Douglass was a past choice here.)

3. Nelson Mandela (anti-apartheid activist)

TRAIT: Integrity

I could have chosen inner strength or courage here again yet integrity fits too. I believe that integrity is the foundation of all inspired action so it can replace all other characteristics in my book. All parts of our being must be "integrated" or in alignment to hear the guidance and direction from our higher self.

I highly recommend the inspiring movie Invictus which details Mandela’s efforts to reduce the racial tensions that remained from the apartheid era through geniusly unifying the country during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

You know those amazing traits you so admire in others and wish you could possess? Well you also possess them. Yes you heard me right, you are as special, talented and gifted as the people you emulate. If you didn’t already possess these traits you would not be so strongly attracted to them. You wouldn’t think about and wish you could be so wonderful and/or talented in that specific area.

For example, my friend shared her 3 people with me and all were creative and innovative artists. No surprise as she is a deeply creative person who feels blocked off from her creative expression. Once she allows herself to manifest her buried gifts she may still be inspired by these artists yet not yearn to be like them (as she'll know she already is).

I specifically split this blog post into two parts because I knew that some (maybe most) people would struggle to come up with their 3 people if they already knew the overall meaning of the exercise. Do you feel uncomfortable comparing yourself to those you put on a pedestal or see as larger than life?

If you already knew the point of the exercise before you started your list, did you face resistance to either starting the list or to come up with 3 people once you began? 

You may be denying these traits within yourself and seeking them in others so you can vicariously feel their power. The truth is that you truly long to shine the light on them in you yet are not yet courageous enough so you settle for the rub off effect.

Your denial that you could possess truly inspirational traits may be blocking you from receiving the inner connection, aliveness and peace you seek. If you don’t believe it, you can’t receive (or feel) it. You will only allow into your life (everything from personal expression to people to situations) that which fits into your preconceived concept of reality.

I’d love to hear who you admire because I’m simply interested in who you are and even more so because that is evidence that you are embracing your special gifts. The more you own them the sooner the rest of the world gets to receive and appreciate them. You are not helping anyone by hiding who you are. Yet you are certainly harming yourself and the masses by hiding your genius under a seemingly humble cover of insecurity. You deserve to feel the joy of your brilliance. Shine on!

In admiration for who you are,

Amber

Who Do You Admire? (Part 1)

I am inspired to share with you a simple exercise I have run across a number of times. I am a slow learner so I had to get similar answers each time to get the true power of it. I can now accept and embrace the wisdom I received.

So here’s the exercise: Take some quiet time and think of 3 people you admire the most. There are no limits to who you can choose – dead or alive, family, friend or celebrity. You can even choose a fictional character like Harry Potter or your favorite superhero.

Once you have your list in priority order, think of the trait in each person or character that resonates deeply within you. You have interacted with or heard about thousands of people in your lifetime, what is so special about these people that made them rise to the top of your heap?  

It is perfectly okay if you don’t immediately know the quality that attracted you to them. Step away from the list for an hour, day or week or more and see what comes forth.

When you are ready, delve deeper and think of all the things this person represents to you and what amazing things they have accomplished. What about the way they choose to live their life do you find inspiring? 

I’d like to share my recent list with you. I am not positive yet I think that some of the people I have chosen during each round of this exercise have been different yet the traits I admire have been pretty consistent.

1. Mother Theresa (minister to the poor, sick and dying around the world)

TRAIT: Unconditional love

Check out Mother Theresa’s inspiring poem about inner guidance on my last blog.

2. Rosa Parks (called "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom)

TRAIT: Courage

3. Nelson Mandela (anti-apartheid activist)

TRAIT: Integrity

I finished this blog detailing what each person means to me and the objective of this exercise then decided to end it here. I want to give you some time to seek your own Truth without any unneeded distractions that can lead to pesky procrastination and indecision.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week. Feel free to share who you admire and why before then. I do enjoy writing yet enjoy connecting with you even more.

In admiration for who you are,

Amber