Role models

Role models inspire us to be more than the sum of our parts. They are the few who shine brighter than the rest, they are there for us when we are lost and need guidance. The people we look up to should enlighten us to who we are, and should never lead us down the path of destruction.

Role models can be a friend, a family member, a teacher, a celebrity, or even a fictional character. They are the few that care, the few with the qualities that inspire us to strive to become better. They should have infectious passion for their work, an ability to overcome the largest of obstacles, and a clear set of values.

Growing up I had a few role models that would show me the path to who I am. The earliest memory I have of a particular personality that made me want to be different is of Bob Ross. Bob would come on and I was so very enthralled with his calm demeanor and soothing style, he made me never want to loose my cool or judge myself too harshly. Another role model that inspired me greatly was agent Fox Mulder from the show "The X-Files", he taught me that we should seek the truth at all costs despite the consequences. As I grow older a lot of my past role models have fallen short and the list became few.

Being a role model comes with great responsibility, and if taken lightly could potentially mean the destruction of another's path. Self-destruction is the most selfish thing we could ever do because we never know who we may be a role model to. Leading by example is of a great importance, it is the only way for those who care to truly "save the world".  

Imagination

Imagination drives us to play, create, and dream. If we let it run free we can accomplish great things, solve problems, and inspire others. Imagination is the expression of our true self completely unbridled.

When we are young we rely on imagination to fill in the gaps of what we do not know or understand. We imagine to escape from an otherwise boring world that we were born into and as we get older we are conditioned by this world to restrain this imagination. We are told to fall in line and climb comfortably into a box.

To experience true freedom is to escape from this physical world and let your imagination soar. We start by first learning who we truly are and what we like. If we like something we should imagine ways to create with it, for instance if I like cats I could write a story, a song or draw a comic about them. We like what we like and that should be used to fuel the imagination for creation.

We can change our world; all it takes is a little imagination. Every innovation in human history has been a direct result of imagination. We have a choice to make, do we wish to languish in this existence and never really be free, or do we wish to imagine a better world.

Dreams

Dreams move us to do great things, inspire others, and change the world. Dreams define who we are and what we can accomplish. If we choose to live without dreams we are left to a very mechanical mundane existence. 

Dreams can start small and blossom into something bigger with time. For instance someone can have a dream of learning to play the guitar, with practice they realize their talent and now they dream of starting a band. We have the choice to pursue our dreams and allow them to grow infinitely, or we can allow them to die and become a drone lost in the crowd. 

When we choose to follow a dream we can not let anything or anyone stop us. This world is very much designed to crush our dreams. Politics, religion, money and distractions from all fronts try to control our thoughts. It is up to us to separate ourselves from worldly distractions if we want to be free to follow our dreams. 

Follow your heart always, never dream for superficial reasons or you will burn out and fall short of your goals. Let your dreams consume you, if those around you don't encourage you then they are truly not your friends. To dream is to be human, to follow those dreams is to be truly alive.