Who do you admire? and why?

One of the exercises we run during the Mountain Wisdom format asks you: who do you admire? and why? and what are the qualities that you admire of this person?

The exercise and the exchange between the participants trigger some interesting insights:

• While some usual suspects like Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Roger Federer come up, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, spouses, kids, friends, a boss and many others also make it to that list. So, you dont need to be famous to be admired.  
• A wide range of qualities of these people get mentioned: presence, service, perseverance, humour, passion, love, visionary, commitment etc etc. These are all admirable qualities and participants share touching stories how they have been exposed to those qualities
• A subsequent discussion at Mountain Wisdom is about what modern society seems to value and what people seem to strive for; wealth, beauty, status, power, success are typically mentioned which then leads to a reflection where we spend our time and energy: on those long lasting, deeper qualities of the people we admire or on the more short term, somehow more superficial material values.

Socrates is said to have said once: a good life is when you make it on other people’s ‘who do you admire’-list. But not in the sense of trying hard to make it to that list but rather by living a life that others then might see and perceive as a full and good life.

Today I want to share with you two people who have made it to my list.
Guillermo Vidal was the son of Calabrian and Gallician immigrants to Argentina. He was born in 1940 in Buenos Aires. At age 12 he got infected by the polio virus in what turned out to be the last wave of polio epidemic as vaccination practically eliminated this disease in the 50s. From age 15 he had to live with a wheelchair. Despite all odds he became a renown architects with landmark building all over Latin America; many of them hospitals. He also shaped the legislation for equal access in civil construction and urbanisation visible and accessible all over Buenos Aires. And he created a beautiful family with Teresa, dedicated architect herself. They brought 4 children to the world, one, the oldest one, Carolina, became my wife and mother of our two girls, Anna and Lara.
Guillermo was a role model for many for his hard work, perseverance, integrity, his humour and charisma. He was a patriarch of the old school, an excellent host and passionate about football.
He got infected by the virus 10 days ago and passed away on 16 June, a week from his 81 birthday.

I also admire Teresa, my mother in law. Not only for her career as both a practicing and teaching architect. But even more so for forming an impressive couple, marriage and family. Her dedication, service and positive spirit even and in particular during difficult times, are noteworthy.
I bow for the achievements, the lives and values that both Guillermo and Teresa have been expressing.

Now, back to you:

• who do you admire?
• what are the qualities of these persons that you admire?
• what are the qualities and values that people perceive of you?
• would you show up on somebody’s ‘who do you admire’ list?
• what might be missing for a good and full life?

Don't expect a person that you admire to be perfect. Behind each bright light there will be some shadow. It is the perfect imperfections that make us human. And it is ok to admire a person for some beautiful qualities and being aware of some flaws.

Within these special times, it might be a good moment to think of what makes a good life and potentially readjust some of the focus areas.

With love,
Ekki