Role Models

I was recently asked on a job application who was someone I admired most and why. The smart girl in me said to choose someone who fit the job's archetypes; Mother Teresa, Pope Francis I, or some other Catholic figure head. The twenty-one year old female in me screamed for Taylor Swift, Emma Watson, or my mom. I struggled with it for a few minutes; and then I went with Emma Watson.

As I justified this in mind:

She's intelligent. She's modest. She has a lot of charity work. She plays Hermione Granger. 

I was also tearing it down in my mind:

Do I really want this job? Shouldn't I be writing to please them? Why in the world are you not writing about Pope Francis I right now? 

My reason, when it was all said and done, is that they asked for role model and that she is immediately who popped into my head. I find her modest, chaste, tasteful body image to be inspiring. I love that even though she is an incredible actress, she still continues her education because it's something she values. I find it impressive that she uses the influence she has developed to benefit organizations that she believes in. Why is that something to be ashamed of?

Role models are what we make of them. Whether or not everyone else finds your particular role model inspiring is unimportant. What matters is that this name, this person helps to inspire you. Never mind how anyone else sees you, or her.

Whether your role model is someone you met on the street, found in book, discovered in a movie, or is part of your faith, they influence you. Embrace that, use it to your advantage. Be inspired, be bold, use them as something to push and encourage you.

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn