Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Mount Rushmore Of Inspiration...






If you were to rebuild Mount Rushmore, based on four people that have truly inspired you, who would they be? Who changed, or is still changing your life? Who knows the challenges you've been through, and the personal battles you've fought, and was there to help? Who's still lending their hand, seeing you through these times? Who's that special?


My Rushmore would look like this:

Liane and Logan
They inspire and teach me every day. I wouldn't be who I am without the love, support and tutelage of my gorgeous wife. She amazes me with her ability to always look through selfless lenses, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. She loves, trusts, and gives more than anyone I've ever met. My goal is to become more like her. Logan is, well... simply, my guardian angel. Her addition is a blessing beyond words. I never knew looking into my daughter's eyes would make me feel that miracles are for "realies."


Dad, stepmom, mom, stepdad
They've all inspired me in many different ways, and I have taken each of their strengths and tried to incorporate them in my life and the lives of those I teach. Their inspiration, very often goes unsaid, but is always there... and is very real. Thank you!


Rudy Ruettiger (#45)
Rudy was undersized, semi-athletic, and insanely courageous! Without any college coaches wanting him out of high school, he decided that he was going to play football at Notre Dame... one of the most prestigious programs of all time. After many, many failures and rejections, he finally made the team, was put in one game his senior year, and made a heroic play in front of thousands of screaming fans. His ability to never quit, when everyone ~ and I mean EVERYONE said he would never make the team, has been an inspiration to all who's known his story. If you haven't already, watch Rudy~ the movie made about his incredible life.


All my students, both past and present
As I've said many times before... I've learned as much, if not more, from you than you ever did from me. You are why I continue teaching, and why I strive to always improve as a person. You don't allow me to slack, and always remind me to stay discipline and focused. I've been incredibly blessed to have you all in my life, and look forward to watching your continued growth.

What's your Mount Rushmore Of Inspiration?

17 comments:

Erica Cano said...

I sat here thinking.. I can't think of anything. Nothing inspires me and I kinda started to worry. If nothing inspires me, how can I expect the best out of myself? What am I living for?

So instead of asking myself what inspires me, I asked myself what motivates me to be the best person I can be and my answer was this:

There isn't one thing, or one person or one action that gets me out of bed in the morning. There isn't a single embodiment of an inspiration. I have. For better or for worse I live for people not just the ones I love either:

"i am a pleaser, but not because i dont know who i am and not because i cant stand up for myself like many people believe. i enjoy making people happy. i dont sacrifice how i feel for others unless its for a legitimate cause. i dont put myself at a disadvantage. i just enjoy my friend and families happiness. it makes me feel good about myself knowing that i made a difference in someone's life in a positive way."

I wrote that one September 15. And it holds true today too. I rediscovered what keeps me going in reading this blog. It's the sheer emotional connection I feel with people. Gaining understanding on why people do things they do, how they feel, what's going on in their lives. Different trends, fashions, emotions, connections, relationships, lost loves, new couples, old romances, friendships, long distance, short distance, living styles, pathologies.

What keeps me going is the idea that I want to be the best person I can be on that given day. I want to be an example for the lost, a leader for the follower, a big sister for the little siblings, a shoulder to cry on, a person to vent to, someone who can be excited for amazing accomplishments. I want to be the best I can be, not just for myself.

So finally. After over an hour thinking about this blog I've discovered my Rushmore. There isn't one face I can name. It's the people I know, my friends, family, the people I don't necessarily love, and the people I have yet to meet that keep me going.

Anonymous said...

ok abe is there, so the song writer, father and the other two head symbols :D

Tito Dutta said...

This is one of the best posts I have ever seen here.
Outstanding.
9.78/10
Very good.
I am adding myself as a follower.
Swami Vivekananda is my inspiration.

lifechick said...

I am inspired by those with the courage to challenge the obstacles in their lives, to strive to achieve. Whether they succeed or not is secondary. Having the bravery to *try* is what awes me.

spldbch said...

I know my parents and my grandmother would be on my personal Mt. Rushmore. Maybe I haven't met the fourth person yet:-)

Innocent Owner Of Mad Cats said...

What a great post and great idea. Makes you think about who you are and how you became you.

plainolebob said...

Coach Dayne,
the people that touch our lives and form our goals, the ones we want to emulate, are all worthy of Mt.Rushmore.
It is some time the simple little actions that we do that sparks their memory in each of us, and reminds us that without their influence on our life, we may not be enjoying what we have today.
Great post
BIG HUGS

AJAB said...

Thanks for making me think about this. My Mt. Rushmore would include: Abe, Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Barrack Obama, FDR, and My Mom. It would be carved on the Moon, and it would be called, "Mt. Paix".

Sarah said...

great point as usual, but i do believe you exceeded the allotment. now go to realmathina minute and get some math lessons. :) for me this will be hard. i'll be spending the rest of today thinking about who will be the four for me.

Life Arts Trainer said...

very very good post!now i know that i must thank so many people.i will start today!
Any how the hill would be crowded if start putting them.
Love,
www.lifeartstrainer.blogspot.com

Tracie said...

How thought-provoking. I love you answers, too. I'll be thinking about this one today.

Sandra Wilkes said...

Great post. My parents and grandparents gave me my character. I am inspired by great teachers and speakers who mesmerize me with their wisdom. I am also inspired by those who overcome obstacles of all sorts and go on to accomplish great things.

Bendigo said...

Wow....I read the post and then sat staring at the screen for a couple minutes...Who inspired me? Who still inspires me? Why do I get up every morning and go to work?

I'm a firm believer that it all starts at home. The first face on my Rushmore would belong to my father...He has worked his entire life to make sure that his wife (mom) and family were provided for, and he didn't ask anything in return except for love and respect.

My Mother would be right along side of Dad. This woman put family first in every aspect of her life and was a constant guiding force in my life through every uphill battle as well as every life changing moment.

Third on the mountain is my 1st and 6th grade teacher Sue Sheehan..She taught me a love for the written word. She also followed me through my middle school years, often writing me letters of encouragement. Nothing brought up my spirits like receiving a random letter from Mrs. Sheehan telling me I could do it...They always seemed to come at just the right time, when I was at the end of my rope so to speak. The woman was what my definition of Teacher is. She was unselfish, dedicated, and truly enjoyed her chosen profession.

My final space on the mountain would be my brother....My little brother spent a good portion of his teen years on dope. He used meth for a good 10 years and was a functioning addict. He always did well enough in school and a lot of people didn't realize he had a problem. He eventually admitted it, and got himself some treatment and turned everything around. He is now finishing up school and is carrying a 4.13 gpa (above a 4.0 is just bull..lol) He went from a strung out skeleton to a straight A, healthy, outgoing person. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. I always enjoyed a fairly close relationship with my brother, but now it is so much better. He has shown me that nothing is impossible, and perseverance does indeed pay off...One day he will be a teacher (within a year)..A great deal of children are going to benefit from this man who is my brother. He is going to give them, the same thing that my elementary teacher gave me. A love for learning...

That's as complete as my list will ever be....These are the people that inspire me every day...

Dayne Gingrich said...

Wow, Bendigo...

I'm now just staring at my screen, wondering how I could ever comment on your comment!

Awesome!

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