mission monday:: role models

top left: madonna, top middle: sera beak, poe, top right: marilyn monroe

bottom left: natalie portman, bottom middle: beth hart, johnette napolitano, bottom right: tori amos

I love that inspiration is everywhere. It can be a painting, a photo, a story or something more simple like a leaf or an offhand comment. The theme for this week's mission was inspired by this post by kiki.

I want to hear about your role models-the people that encourage you, that pick you up when you are down, that teach you or challenge you. I think it would be so cool for us all to expose each other these sources of inspiration.

Me...I'm drawn to women that are honest and find a way to be comfortable in their own skin. For those that know my story, I am sure this comes as no surprise. For those that don't know-I spent much of my life trying to be whatever would get me accepted. So to see these women standing firmly in their individuality...and still influencing others and affecting change or moving emotions...that is an incredibly powerful and affirming message for me.

If I do one thing right in this life, I hope it's to encourage others that who they truly are is amazing. So when I wonder who would ever care about anything I say or doubt my ability to encourage anyone, I turn to the ladies above. Their music or words or characters give me a little punch in the arm and force me to stand a little firmer in what I know to be true.

Please share who inspires you! If you share on your blogs, you can share the link below on mr. linky or your images in the mission monday flickr group.