All the people who make you who you are…

Have you ever thought of the many people who had a part in making you who you are today.  Favorite teachers, your parents, your children or grandchildren, a neighbor, or mentor at work…  So many lifepaths intertwine, and our interactions with these people make us who we are.  The faces may not all be recognizable, but they all play a role.  

Recently, as I pulled up to a drive-thru Starbucks, I leaned out the window to hand the cashier some money only to learn that the person ahead of me had paid for my coffee.  This person, who I am certain I did not know, is one of the unknown faces who influenced who I am today, and his or her actions also affect the people I have shared the same experience with since that day.

I believe it is important to honor those that made us who we are and celebrate the fact that they came into our lives.  Not all of these people did great things, but we learned even from those who brought drama and negative experiences.  The lessons from even the “bad” stuff helped us learn.

I like to celebrate my birthday by honoring all the people who made me who I am, and gave me the knowledge and experience to help others.  I respect the many teachers who captivated me and fostered my skills of observation and critical thinking. Thanks to them, I am capable of quickly connecting dots and referencing probabilities, which made my suggestions highly probable solutions. I also respect those who  taught me not to jump to conclusions and to be a patient listener and allow others to make mistakes so they too can grow. All of these people, I honor and I treasure the lessons they gave me.

You may want to reflect back on your own life and find a way to honor the gifts others gave you.  I highly recommend you do so. Complete your intentions and follow through with action towards your goals.