Most of us grow up, meet, and encounter people who we, subconsciously or not, tend to look up to and serve as inspiration. These people are considered role models, and as such can even be anyone of us. They are the people we like to imitate, emulate, and follow like some blueprint of our future life. Let’s think about those people that positively influence us to become better human beings and citizens of this planet. After all, being inspired is a normal human emotion – one that universally feels so good. One that teaches us that there is more than one path to next level motivation.
In psychology, the concept and theory of role models being motivating factors and social instruments that somehow bring out the best in us have become common truths in our daily existence. To nurture and sustain our well-being, we have become social creatures in need of an emotional boost from people in our lives. These people can turn out to be role models – whether we like it or not – that are worthy of our admiration. They can be anybody: a parent, a policeman, a priest, a teacher, a neighbor, a close friend, a relative or family member, a carpenter, a security guard in school, an ex-soldier, a celebrity, or even a fictional character. They are people who’ve become a normal part of our lives. People who do things that amaze the soul. We can see in them something that drives us to at least be like them in one way or another.
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We see in them something that, superficially or not, gives us a reason to value ourselves more and be a positive force in life. We see in them something that connotes an enduring and robust sense of self-respect. They are the people that silently remind us that life is never boring and overrated but rather something that is perpetually meaningful, for there is always at least one thing in it that elevates our ordinary existence. For whatever reason, we think of role models as people we’d like our own identities to be based on or inspired by, at least to some extent.
Never mind the idea that living a life patterned after someone or hero worshipping makes you unoriginal and one lacking in self-realization and ego identity. That’s because people look for role models to gain some form of self-fulfillment and to provide themselves the impetus to do something they want (but not necessarily to do something they need). It’s like buying an expensive watch in an era of smart phones - where wearing a timepiece on your wrist is much less of a practical need but more of a desire to feel good about yourself. The role models we have in life are most often than not a reflection of what we want to be perceived by others; our self-esteem is essentially on steroids, so to speak, because we become much more engaged as individuals wanting to create something that would define our existence for as long as it makes sense to us and the people around us. Role models can be our means to an end. Just imagine how many people all over the world were inspired by The Beatles to become successful musicians.
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This inspiration resulted in more happiness and meaning in their own lives. The Beatles, in case you’re a monk somewhere in Tibet (and a miracle that you can read this) or a Gen Z who listens to K-pop, is arguably the most influential rock band in modern music history. I’m sure they have been great role models to thousands of their musician fans, and to the majority of their millions of fans in general, who copied their style and were inspired by the band’s devotion to create wonderful music that would transcend generations. The greatness that followers recognize in The Beatles urged them to find success in their own right, whether in music or in any professional aspect of their life.
Nelson Mandela, the legendary South African human rights activist and lawyer - an icon of
democracy- triumphed against apartheid (a.k.a. racial segregation and absolute discrimination) in his country. He was regarded as a true hero who selflessly and successfully fought for social justice, liberty, peace, unity, truth, and equality, which served as inspiration to millions of people who have been given a chance to learn much about his life and what he fought for. Mandela was South Africa’s first black leader or head of state – the first elected in a free election after democracy has been established in the mid ‘90s. Because of his dramatic impact and influence on political and social reforms which echoed throughout the world before the end of the twentieth century, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. And because Mandela served as a positive role model to countless of people around the world, he changed lives and nations for the better. He became a role model for greater success. |
The iconic martial arts star and Chinese-American actor Bruce Lee, considered as the most popular and admirable martial artist of all time, was every child’s hero growing up. At least that was the common perception in the past, especially among young people who are physically active and love watching martial arts movies. Lee’s charisma, great intellect and superior martial arts skills and prowess endeared him to fans of all ages from every corner of the world. He was the epitome of the body-mind-spirit philosophy of becoming the best that you can possibly be. He was a terrific scholar and a sublime practitioner of the science of martial arts. Lee walked the walk and talked the talk, despite not being a bona fide competitive martial artist during his time. His founding of Jeet Kune Do, a popular martial arts discipline and philosophy, plus his tremendous discipline in training and deep knowledge about the concept and practical application of self-defense earned him the praise of being the godfather of mixed martial arts, especially among his most diehard fans. Lee inspired not just martial arts aficionados but also practically every athlete from any sport that requires strength, speed, agility and stamina. It’s not uncommon for tennis players, football players and bodybuilders to look up to Bruce Lee, because he was Bruce Lee – a spectacularly lean physical specimen that can physically defend himself against enemies twice his size. Thousands of kids and men’s lives were positively changed because they are influenced by a man worthy to be called a role model.
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At some point in our lives, each one of us has been motivated and inspired by people, events, discoveries, noble acts, and by random thoughts and emotions that only we can justly define. When we are inspired by one person - a possible role model – sometimes it changes something deep inside of us; it can transform us from being a sorry little kitten to a proud, hungry lion. It can mean the “Rocky Balboa” in us. The Eye of the Tiger.