A Practical Exercise on Admiring People

 A Practical Exercise on Admiring People 

 "Tell me the people you admire and I'll tell you who you are." 

Dr Abe V Rotor

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ad·mire

ədˈmī(ə)r/ verb = regard (an object, quality, or person) with respect or warm approval. Example: "I admire your courage" 

Synonyms:

esteem, approve of, respect, think highly of, rate highly, hold in high regard, applaud, praise, commend, acclaim

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More than the definition given by most dictionaries, there is something deeper when we admire somebody.  It is a way of saying thank you, in silent gratitude.  It is modeling a person whose character has influenced us.  It is bringing back values in deference to ethics and morals, through a person (e.g., Nelson Mandela (photo) as an epitome of leadership), or a thing (e.g., Statue of Liberty). Or a significant event like the end of the Cold War. 

But in this exercise we will focus on admiring people. Admiring is perhaps the most positive expression a person can offer.  It may be as simple as a prayer, or candid as a citation. It is emulation; it is inspiration. We live with it everyday the whole of our rational life. When we admire, our thoughts turn positive, our pulse slows down, our face shines a smile that emanates from deep inside. Because admiration comes from the heart and soul. Which is its true proof and measure.

Here is an exercise you can conduct in your class, among your peers, or in an outreach group in your community.  You can start at home. 

Procedure
Take a break after reading the procedure of this exercise. 

With a piece of paper, ask and join your audience or class to write the names of ten persons (real), whom they most admire. This will take ten minutes.  Conduct the exercise in complete silence. Because it is an individual exercise conferring should be avoided. You may provide a suitable music background, such as Mozart music; it is therapeutic (Mozart Effect). It is conducive to reflection and analysis.  

Review your work before continuing with this exercise.

Pope Francis - breaking centuries old traditions of the church

  

Can you identify who these persons are? (Answer below) Bonus of one point each. Add to your score.

Analysis 
There are five levels to which you classify the people you listed.

• great men and women, living and dead  - 5
• successful persons in their respective fields  - 4
• members of the family, other relatives - 3
• friends and colleagues - 2 
• personalities, characters, in the entertainment world - 1 

Classify each person accordingly and give his or her due score. Get the total. 

Rating 
41 - 50   You are intelligent, idealistic, optimistic, success-conscious. 

              Admiring is  emulating
31 - 40   You are also success-conscious, friendly, loving and lovable. 

              Admiring is sharing,  
21 - 30   You are OK; you belong to the 60 percent in a population. 

              You can get well in life and with people. 

              Admiring is spontaneous  
20 and below  - You need to review what you admire in people, 

              and what people admire in you. 

              Admiring is formative (it can be improved)  
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In December 1999, a survey came up with a list of 18 people from the 20th century who are "most admired" (Internet):

• Mother Teresa.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.
• John F. Kennedy.
• Albert Einstein.
• Helen Keller.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Billy Graham.
• Pope John Paul II.

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Photos
Nelson Mandela (top)
Fr James Reuter SJ with the author behind; Albert Einstein playing the violin, Rizal as a teenager (left and right, respectively)