Everyone is a Role Model, Every Day!

You may not have realized it, or you may need to be reminded that:

Every day of our lives,
everyone is a role model for us
and
we are role models for everyone as well!

Now most people would say parents are the primary role models for their children, but in the book "The Question Behind the Question" by John G. Miller (amazon), he makes it clear that EVERYONE is a role model for everyone throughout our lives. He does affirm that parents tend to be the primary role models for their children, but then he states:

"No matter what our role, someone is watching and emulating our behavior."

Then he writes:

"Modeling is the most powerful of all teachers," "Who's watching you?"

Did you know?

Science has now proven that people
actually learn from role models
through processes such as mirror neurons.

It's important to realize the impact that science has shown us that these mirror neurons and the processes that support them can teach you lessons without you even thinking about it. It can be almost automatic! One simple example might be that someone yawns, you may yawn; without you really thinking if you're tired or not.

It's also important to be aware that we learn from other role models besides just people we meet. This includes both real and artificially created role models in media such as TV, internet, video games, pictures, and audio. Now some of those media role models may be healthy, and some may not. For example, some experts believe that violent lifelike video games and TV may provide role models that some people may mirror; and this could actually promote violent acts in people (see mirror neurons).

I invite you to consider the following:

• Remember that nobody is perfect, so some people can teach you "Incorrect Lessons" that can fog your view () through role modeling. Be aware (or mindful) of what role models teach you. Think about, after you interact with any role models, if what they were modeling was a healthy lesson. If it wasn't, research and think about the correct lesson instead. Your answer will be the one that feels right in your heart.
• Try to be careful what you say or do (model) to everyone. Try to be a healthy role model every day; continue to grow up, and continue to improve your "model."
• Suppose you learn to be a boss or leader at a company, where you are required to direct, guide or sometimes even dictate what people need do for their job within the business. When you are not at work, you must be careful not to allow those learned behaviors control how you treat others outside of work. Since some behaviors become almost automatic, you may have to remind yourself from time to time that business "hat" you wear at work, most likely should be different from the "hat" you wear at home or in a friendly gathering.
• Pick your "role models" mindfully. Spend more time with the ones that align with the life you want to live. Consider spending more time with healthy role models, and less time with less healthy models. For example, if you want to live a loving, happy, caring, and successful life, spend more time with people who are loving, happy, caring and successful. In another example, experts say if you're trying to stop drinking, you should eliminate or at least minimize the time you spend with those who are drinking. Choose who you spend the majority of your time with using careful consideration.
• Remember to be honest with yourself about the results of any poor behaviors that you may have learned from poor role models, and replace those behaviors by working to learn and change to healthier behaviors. It's the loving action to take, for both you and those you "model" for.

Conclusion:

Listen to your heart, and realize, for example, if you want to attract more love in your life, be more loving to yourself and others. When you throw a ball up in the air, what do you expect to get back? What you give out, you receive back. Teach only love.

Thank YOU for reading this!

By David Morgan