Whenever we think of the phrase "role model" we tend to have a certain type of person in mind. This person is usually a celebrity of some sort and is usually older than you, but they have a lot of the qualities that you have. This is someone you aspire to be and that standard view of a role model is great. However, I'm going to argue that it might not have to be an older person for you to look up to, or even a celebrity.
Humans are pretty amazing beings sometimes, they write fantastic stories, compose fabulous music, direct wonderful movies and plays, perform incredible feats for a sport. And the people who do these actions should get credit and naturally people will look up to them.
But there are people in your own life that you also look up to. For instance: your mom who single handedly raised you as well as your siblings and made you who you are and didn't smother you when you were a sassy teen. There is your grandma who shows you to love people, no matter where they come from, who they love, who they pray to, as long as they are a decent person, it doesn't matter. There is your friend, who is admittedly younger than you, who shows you how to be passionate about what you believe in, to stand up for what you believe in, to not back down in the fight of injustice. There are the friends and family who are so extraordinarily talented that you can never say no to going to see them in a production or in their desired sport, because they are so passionate about what they are doing and they blow you away every single time.
These people show you how to love, not only the people that also inhabit this world, but yourself and your talents. They are there for your achievements in your own life. They may not always be super present, but they always like your posts about your job findings or how you're doing in classes. Maybe you will even find out that they look up to you just as much as you look up to them.
When it comes to celebrities, of course we look up to some because it's the whole "I want to be famous just like them for (insert desired professional skill here)" and that is great, I'm not saying you shouldn't look up to celebrities in this way. But I'm also saying that there are other reasons that people should look up to them. Look at the fundraising/volunteering that they do, is it for a cause that you also love? Are they using their platform of being a celebrity in a way to inspire those who aren't? Do they share similar thoughts about social justice issues and use their influence to get the word out about problems that may otherwise go unnoticed? Do they take roles in movies and shows that portray the struggle and the overcoming of problems that millions of people have faced? These are the celebrities that I really like to take on as role models, because they aren't only just using their talent to make something enjoyable, but they are also using their platform to the best of their ability, by making people aware of the causes that they are involved in. They can give courage to those who might be apprehensive to take action, in any sort of way, because it is being done by someone else, and we don't always see that in our own personal life.
Role models are important, but maybe not in the way we normally think they are. So, if you have role models in your life, thank them, because I'm sure they have made a difference for you, and who knows, maybe they will thank you in return.
