Dr. Princess: Freeky Friday: With a Little Help From My Friends

Welcome back to another Freeky Friday! Today's topic is simple:

Who inspires you?

Of course, it goes without saying that my cousin Mark is one of my greatest inspirations. But I've already talked about that, so I wanted to write about someone else. When I sat down to write this post, I had a hard time narrowing it down. I just kept thinking of the word "inspirational," and dozens of faces popped into my mind. I was surprised to notice that all of those faces were familiar to me...and not in an Oprah and Gaga sort of way. I saw my parents, some professors, even a few patients; but over all, my friends inspire me more.

When I look back on who my friends and I used to be, I'm overwhelmed with pride when I think of who we've become. These folks are absolutely incredible, and they inspire me to be the version of myself that they believe I can be. Fortunately, I have so many friends who mean so much to me. For the sake of this post, I'm just going to focus on a select few: my bridesmaids.

{image by H.Photography}

Among these women there are two physicians, two attorneys...and you see that one who looks like me? Yeah, she's getting a Masters in Education from an Ivy League school. One is a mom, one is the most cultured and well-traveled person I know, one has done extraordinary service work all over the world, and one is a refugee who has been shot at (not exaggerating). They are all tremendously witty (which makes me wonder why more of them don't write?), absolutely brilliant, and incredibly kind and patient.

The interesting thing about people we look up to is that we view them as perfect beings above the rest of us. But I think one of my favorite things about these girls is how remarkably human they are. Each of them have let me in to the point where I've seen them at their worst moments...but those moments are among the most beautiful, because I've seen them come back from the bottom. I think that moment of letting go and allowing someone to get to know the real you is far more admirable than trying to be something than none of us are: perfect. These girls inspire me to be smart, kind, and fun, but they also inspire me to be me.

What about you? Who inspires you?

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Be sure to come back next Friday, August 19th for an all new prompt:

When are you most happy?