This morning I woke up to quite an honored Facebook post about me. I am one of the featured stories for a Native Love Campaign that the Indian Law Resource Center is developing. And they finally have the site up and working, which I posted yesterday. One of the current youth in our youth program reposted my article and called me her role model. It’s kinda striking when you are considered that. Role Model.
When I think of what a role model is, I think to my elders. I see their old weathered hands that have helped mold the next generation and have gently led us to paths we couldn’t see for ourselves. I see parents who worry relentlessly about their children and who (despite their age) will slap their wrist every once in a while to let them know when they are wrong. I see Women and Men who think not of themselves; who suffered, toiled, fought, and have died for what they saw was right, but rather for those are struggle along beside them.
It’s funny how the most ordinary of people can be the most extraordinary to others. I guess that is what makes a role model though, your ability to do without the need to know how it will benefit you. I was thinking about how I feel being a role model ( I’m sure she isn’t the only one who looks to me, which is nerve racking), and I came across a quote that sums up the responsibility one has as being a role model:
“You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.” — Oliver Goldsmith
The quote rings true, role models are not just the great heroic men and women of yesterday but the present simple man and woman of today. We are each in ourselves a role model. People watch you, whether you like it or not. People are watching. And what you “preach” with the life that have been given to you is a direct reflection on how the next generation is being primed to be. We have to be mindful of what kind of “sermon” our lives are preaching- an honorable one, or the easy one.
So, today I’ve been reminded of what my actions do in the world, however little they are. I hope that today you are reminded also of how your actions speak about your life and what kind of role model you wish to be.
***If you wish to learn more about the Native Love Campaign, please visit http://indianlaw.org/node/1010 to learn more. ***
Peace.
Hell on my Heels 