In this world today we often read about the necessity of having role models, mentors, and even life coaches, especially in the case of young people. I’ve always had a problem with this, and I was so glad last week when President Obama highlighted the importance of personal responsibility in his controversial speech addressed to young people.
It’s all very well having role models, and mentors but how much of this is about being yourself? What you should get from a role model is a sense of noble qualities which you can adopt. One of my ‘role models’ is Oprah Winfrey. I admire her strength, compassion and her contribution to society. However, by no means do I want to be another Oprah Winfrey. It is our personal responsibility to be who we are, and accept it. Having role models should be about admiring their qualities and being inspired to take on their qualities but not who they are.
Admittedly, we all need guidance. However, true guidance comes from within. It comes from using your intuition. As a Coach/ Counsellor, I empower people to trust themselves, and then I offer tools to help them along their CHOSEN journey. I never criticise or belittle a person's efforts to live their lives. There are no mistakes or failures, but many lessons which we have to learn.
This week Obama stated “ Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide”.
I put education in the context of life education. It’s no good looking at others to find yourself. Learning from your life experiences to include relationships, and the circumstances in which you find yourself, is invaluable to your personal development, and personal branding.
We are all divine but unique and this is what makes us all special. We have different talents all aligned to our life purpose. When we acknowledge our talents our path lights up.
Namaste
