What I Admire

I admire strength. Not just outer, physical strength; but inner strength. Strength of character, such as: Steadfastness, where you really believe in something, and will work for it. And Integrity, where a person may have problems, but will face up to them and learn to deal with them. Someone who won’t blame others, or take their problems out on other people; but will instead understand that the decision to change and heal, resides within themselves.

I admire the adaptability of people. Namely, the ability to heal, and to let go. People who not only survive difficult situations, but also learn to live again. This is something that is very hard to do. After struggling with so many problems, when and how does a person stop just surviving, and start living again? By continuing to feel, love, and hope; to continue to progress in life, regardless of difficult circumstances. Another characteristic that fits here is the ability to be Teachable, Humble. This is the ability to take a difficult situation and not let it do you in; but to instead learn from it, and then apply the life lesson you’ve learned to the other areas of your life.

I admire optimism. There are people who can see the good and bad of any situation (good and bad exist simultaneously in every situation), but will consciously accept the good, and work towards it. People who decide to see the beauty that exists in life, even in the midst of chaos.

Above all, the characteristic I admire most in people, is Love. A person’s ability to reach out and comfort, and to receive comfort in return. The ability to see the world in its entirety, good and bad alike, and still love. Not a shallow love, but a love that comes from their whole being; their whole self. I guess part of this paragraph should fall under the characteristic of optimism, but I think optimism and love go hand in hand. You can’t really love without feeling optimistic, just as you can’t really be optimistic without feeling some sort of love for life.

by Celia Helen Tracy
copyright © 2001 Celia Helen Tracy

Storybook Nook