I think about influential people a lot. Not the flash-in-the-pan 'Youtube sensations' mind you, I'm talking about actual role models. Real people who've done incredible things with their lives.
Who Are These People
It strikes me as somewhat counterintuitive that many of the most famous role models (at least to me) are ordinary people, who felt called to take risks, stand up for what they believed in, and in some cases, put their lives at risk.
Normal people like you and me, who somehow transformed their lives into something so impactful...it can be difficult for us to wrap our heads around their accomplishments.
Here are a couple of mine...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer - a German theologian and pastor whose incredible conviction, sense of purpose, and strong faith led him to oppose Hitler, and ultimately, be executed by the Nazis in the last week of the war.
This is a fabulous book about Dietrich that my Mother gave me several years ago. Check it out and be inspired.
My Parents
This may sound like an obligatory mention, but I can assure you it is not the case. I am blessed to have parents who never stopped raising their voices when injustice was being done in their community or world; and also instilled values in my sister and me that all people matter.
Yes, all people. Regardless of their faith perspective, color, sexual orientation, or station in life. Their values, that spilled over to us, were clearly behind this post from last year.
Their tireless work throughout their respective professional careers (and now Mom's retirement) dealing with race relations, poverty, women's rights, and support for oppressed people continues to be both humbling and inspiring.
How About You
Who is on your short list? Who are the people that shaped your life and helped make you who you are today? I have more on mine...but as always...
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
Bonhoeffer pic
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
A Thank You Letter to Mom and Dad
Dear Mom and Dad,
Today marks the end of one of the most embarrassing times in the history of our country. As I've reflected on the last year, I realized that I needed to thank you both for a whole bunch of things.
Thank you for...
- teaching me that every single person has value
- showing me how to care for those that are less fortunate than us
- demonstrating what it means to respectfully disagree with someone
- caring enough to let me make mistakes without shaming me
- incorporating a loving way into how you treated me and my sister
- welcoming people into our home who had struggled in wars, were damaged, and had strong opinions that did not match ours, so I could l appreciate all people
- discussing important issues, including the "other side's point of view" so I could learn
- making sure I didn't treat people unfairly, regardless of my position
- coaching me when I got too full of myself
- teaching me to be an effective parent so my children could grow up to make their own choices
- helping me learn the power of listening
- teaching me to be an advocate for those who don't have a voice
- to have the confidence necessary to stand up to hatred when it is a lonely place to be
You both have give me so much...I can only hope that I do half as well passing on these values to my amazing kids.
Love you,
-Jay
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