Role Models

November is National Inspirational Role Models Month. No matter your age, gender, or stage in file, having someone who inspires you to be the best version of yourself is always a positive thing. Perhaps it is a friend, a celebrity or an activist. Whether the person is high-profile or not isn’t important. Their character and ability to inspire, guide, and teach carries much more value. This month let’s focus on the person who motivates you and thank them for their leadership. I would like you to share who inspires you?

I’ve mentioned some of the characteristics of a role model, but let’s go into more detail. A role model is a person other people look up to in order to help determine appropriate behaviors. Role models can be either positive or negative. ... Virtually anyone can be a role model, but in Western culture, publicly visible figures such as athletes, actors, musicians, and celebrities are the most common examples, which are not always good or positive role models.

A good role model is always positive, calm, and confident in themselves. You don't want someone who is down or tries to bring you down. Everyone likes a person who is happy with their achievements but continues to strive for bigger and better objectives, not afraid to be unique. A good role model is a person who serves as an example by influencing others. For many children, the most important role models are their parents and caregivers. Children look up to a variety of role models to help shape how they behave in school, relationships, or when making difficult decisions.

The hardest part of putting together any list of inspirational role models is deciding who to include. There are so many people who have done heroic things, in so many difference fields like in human rights, science, and in resisting evil that it is hard indeed to choose. If I were to choose a few people that I would call a role model in my life, they would be the following:

The Dalai Lama

“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.”

Did you know that despite the fact that the Dalai Lama having been exiled from his homeland, that the Chinese are trying to choose who gets to be the next in line and that the future of both Tibet and his religion are in doubt, he continues to preach peace and tolerance? He truly practices what he preaches! And he’s very quotable!

Albert Einstein

“A person who’s never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Yes, he’s included in every list of inspirational people, but that’s because he’s so inspiring! He left what was the equivalent of high school during his youth early, failed an entry exam into the Swiss Federal Polytechnic at 16 (though contrary to what people may believe he did very well in math) and worked in a patent office until he was 30.

Then he went on to change the field of physics for ever after. Some of us are simply late bloomers. So, don’t give up or whine, instead get up, stop procrastinating and make something of yourself.

Marilyn Monroe

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it is better to be absolutely ridiculous than to be absolutely boring.”

Norma Jeane Baker, as Marilyn was born, was given up by her mentally disturbed mother and bounced from foster home to foster home. When she finally did break through and become famous, she was typecast as a dumb blond and severely underpaid.

And yet she kept going. Like her mother she battled her own mental problems. And despite all that she became an international icon, renowned for her wit and character. If that isn’t inspirational, then what is?

Steve Jobs

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living somebody else’s life.”

Okay, if you don’t know who Steve Jobs is, you’ve been living under a rock. I think what inspires me most about him is that he was forced out of Apple, fought his way back in and then took a company that was struggling and made it the most profitable in the world.

And no, he maybe wasn’t the nicest man in the world, but he had vision. And that must count for something.

JK Rowling

“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

Yes, the author of the very well-known series made into movies Harry Potter, which was rejected several times, but one company gave it a try and now, she is rich off her hard work. She conceived the idea in 1990 while sitting on a delayed train from Manchester to London King’s Cross. This shows that if you do something you love and are willing to pay the price to do it. She started at a young age writing, 6, where she wrote her first book. Proves anything is possible. She donates money to many charities. She shows that everyone can make it through pain and level up to the best you can be.

The list could go on, as there are many roll models out there, both old and new. The best role models are our parents and teachers, but yes, there are also some bad parent and teacher role models. This is because they had or chose poor mentor-ship and role models themselves many times.

In conclusion, these people are all different, yet they all have something in common. They didn’t give up – not on their dreams and not on their passion. Ultimately, we don’t get to determine our own luck. We only get to decide how we will weather the storms life throws our way. We get to decide if we will fold like a bad poker hand or show character. They all showed character and, in the process, inspired millions. Me, I hope that I am able to inspire my students to be the best lash extension artist there can be; my clients and brides to be put their best face forward in the skin and makeup knowledge that I share with them. I also I hope to inspire you to be a good role model for someone.

Leave a comment if someone in your life has inspired you.