Someone who inspires me.
Today is day 4 of the writer's challenge and I write about someone who inspires me. I am and have been inspired by many people in my life. I'm sort of a sucker for those rags to riches stories. Inspiration is everywhere if you are looking for it. For the this post, although all inspirational, I will not be writing about the typical inspiring parent or spouse or famous person. Those may come later though.
Today, a person who inspires me is the owner of the circus company I was a part of some years ago. She was a lot of things for me during the time we spent together: teacher, coach, choreographer, boss, friend, and even room mate for a little while. Not only was she good at her art, but also she was a great business owner. In the short 4 years I knew her she grew her business from one portable rig in her backyard to a big studio with space enough to hold 2-3 classes at a time. It was even large enough to hold audiences for in house performances. She did everything herself from choreography to stage lights and props. They were all designed and completed by her. She even built a dragon head that spit real flames and a magic mirror that lit up.
Besides her skills and talents that are inspiring to most peolle, the major characteristic about her that stuck out to me was her independence. I'm not usually a subscriber to today's modern feminism; I believe there are some things that are better suited for men. But if I were to place a definition of feminism done right it would be this woman. Sucessful business woman by the age of 26 and an ambition that I can still see coming to fruition to this day. Her business is flourishing and I can see her being one of the biggest names in the circus industry very soon.
Nearly 3 years ago when I moved to the state of Utah, I was by myself and starting completely fresh. I had to learn on the fly about things I hadn't ever had to think about before. Things like utilities, pilot lights, and taxes. It was not easy and I questioned my choice to move two states away from my life, my family, and my support network. But, I often thought to myself that I can be just as independent as her, I only needed to take a breath and keep a clear head and I could figure it all out. I remembered how this woman built things herself, and how she seemed to know how to do everything from painting to plumbing and general maintenance work that most people (men included) would call a handyman for.
I still think about this woman often. And I wonder if she knows how great of an impact she truly had on my life. I'm not sure if I should mention her name here; I sort of feel like a school girl writing about her favorite teacher, or big sister, or something. That's a little embarrasing.
Who in your lives is inspirational to you? Do they know it?
