If we are among the lucky ones, we have friends in our lives that inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. These friends live their truths in ways that shine like beacons, illuminating the way ahead, beckoning us to follow their examples as we stumble through our own personal journeys of self-discovery, searching for fulfillment.
I am fortunate to count myself among these lucky ones. I have a wonderful friend who I find to be impressive and inspiring in exactly this way. Over the years, the more I've gotten to know her, the more I've come to realize that she is in fact a role model for something that I've been thinking a lot about lately: integrity. Loosely, integrity is about knowing your values, and living and acting in a way that is true to those values. Let me be clear: this can be a hard thing. Integrity doesn't just happen; you have to put in the work. It is a lifelong pursuit, a lifelong practice.
Nikki knows her values, and she lives them. She puts in the work, every single day. She is kind, compassionate, giving, tough, and frankly has had enough of this shit. Nikki has causes, lots of them; I won't list them all here. It's enough to say that she's a champion for the things she believes in. She's a warrior. Can you tell that I admire her for it? I want to be a person that could be admired for *anything* in the way that I admire Nikki.
Is there anyone in your life that you admire like this? Maybe you're one of the lucky ones too.
I feel that it's important to surround yourself with those that will elevate you. Friends, family, peers, colleagues, this can happen anywhere. Ideally there's something mutual going on, and you elevate each other. That's one measure of a great relationship, whatever its basis or nature.
Thank you, Nikki: for elevating me, and by your lived example showing me how to elevate myself.
With gratitude,
~nullish
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