Role Models

In a beautiful column I read recently by David Brooks, he cites two kinds of value systems, or, to be more specific, two different kinds of bucket lists.

There is the professional bucket list, which details the goals and ambitions we must achieve to attain prestige, wealth and honour in our lives.

The second list is the eulogy bucket list, the one which details the things we accomplish and people we touch that will leave our lasting legacy.

Most of us invest more time in the former than the latter, although I imagine we are more sensitive to and enamoured with the latter than the former.

How can we re-direct our efforts in a way that would re-focus our goals and ambitions?

One way is through role models.

Role models are those individuals who have trail-blazed the path towards perfection. Are our role models people of character, people of ethics and people of morality? Do our role models inspire us to be better, kinder and gentler?

As parents, the role models we wish for our children should be us...are we the role models we want for them...?