Follow the Leader

 I’m so glad I have people in my life whom I admire. I’m grateful for public figures I admire as well. When I look at just what it is about people that I find myself wanting to emulate and break it down to its elements, I then have a map for myself to follow.

Here’s what happens: I see a woman about my height who is clearly toned and athletic, I can silently acknowledge that she is ‘doing the deal’. She watches what she eats and she exercises. She has self-discipline. I can either look for ways to improve those actions in my own life and see where they take me, or I can crawl up into a ball of self-recrimination, resenting everyone who works for their results. 

I can look at a public figure and ask myself what it took for her to achieve what she has. I can try to ascertain what character attributes have enabled her on her path, and see where I might try them on my own journey. 

It’s not just the big things. In fact, it’s a whole lot of the little things, all working together, which light my path. What are my daily routines? Do they serve me and my growth? If not, what might their purpose be?What could I do differently? What am I actually able to maintain, and what do I need to eliminate? Do I give myself the grace to simply be, or do I crowd out the ‘be-ing’ with a bunch of ‘shoulds’?

The whole idea is to be the better version of myself, within the parameters of reasonableness. 

I think it starts with gratitude—and a positive attitude!