Some clients meander through life with no clear picture of who or how they wish to be. They say, “That’s so not me,” when I mention a characteristic or practice someone has or does. As if they could never imagine being anything other than exactly who they are now. Remember, we’re never stuck with being who we don’t want to be because we can model ourselves after people we admire. I admire people who:

• Are insightful/psychological/reflective. They work hard at knowing themselves and continue to change and grow throughout their lives. They’re curious, flexible, deep thinkers who can change their minds when new facts or insights arise. 

• Take care of themselves. They take good care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally. They seek medical and psychological care when needed, follow best evidence-based practices and the wisdom of science and academia, and enjoy depending on and being cared for by others.

• Take care of others. While taking care of self they also extend caring to others. They reach out when they see a need and enjoy caring for people not because others will like them better for it or view them as “good,” but because it feels right to them. 

• Know what’s going on in the world. They care about what’s going on in the world, from their neighborhood to beyond, because they feel connected to other people on the planet and recognize how what happens in the big world impacts their little one.

• Speak out against wrongs and try to right them: Courageous folks put themselves on the line and fight wrong-doing and injustice in big and small ways. They take action to create a better society for us all because they believe in justice, equality and fairness. 

• Use critical thinking skills. These people use their brains to figure things out, base their decisions on facts, look at situations from various angles, and don’t let pure emotion, whimsy or the latest fad dictate their values or stances in life. 

• Think for themselves. These are confident folks with the guts to stand up for what they believe in whether other people think they’re right or wrong. They’re not looking to be liked by others, but to live their values that make them proud of themselves. 

• Are brimming with creativity. These people know how to have fun and aim to live their best lives without hurting themselves or others. They think outside the box, follow their dreams, let their instincts be their guide, and find life thrilling because they enjoy expressing their uniqueness. 

I aim to be more like the people I admire. They’re my role models and I treasure the gifts they offer me and the world. You might have different preferences. The important thing is to identify them. Who are the people you admire and why?

Best,

Karen