Bold Inspiring: Bold. Brilliant. Beautiful. You.

I am often curious what influences people and shapes the lives they ultimately lead. Yes. ‘I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul’ but our environment and experiences give form to the way we exist. It impacts our language, how we see and value ourselves, our initial view of the world, how we eat, how we parent, our vocation, who we befriend, what we hold as sacred and valuable among numerous other things. Despite the desire to declare oneself ‘self made’, we are all closer to ‘other made’.

Boldness (as well as brilliance and beauty) can be influenced as well. Whether it is from people, familiar or not, or books or movies, those who see others be bold, think bold, act bold know the possibility for boldness in their own life. And the same can be said for a lack of boldness. If you don’t see it, it’s hard to imagine it exists.

For this month’s Bold. Brilliant. Beautiful. You. prompt, take a moment and think about who or what has inspired boldness in your life. Maybe it was a teacher along the way who encouraged free thinking or a story of a fierce individual of the past. It could have been a novel’s character who helped you see possibilities where you hadn’t before. Or maybe it was a new life, a babe, that held up a mirror and inspired you to change. For me, that person is my mom.

My mom was a ‘crunchy’, ‘natural’ mom before the term was coined. She didn’t do it to be cool or hip, she did it because she believed in healthy, homemade food, garden fresh and made from scratch. My siblings and I have a few stories of the strange things we were fed instead of the processed stuff from the store. Her beliefs and practices shaped my beliefs and practices. Even when numbers of home-cookers dwindle, we share a deep love of making food at home and I hope to pass it on to my children. I blame her for my slightly pretentious palette.

My mom’s voice didn’t falter once when I called home and told her I was changing my pre-med major to art. Boldness, indeed. She understood my passion. Along the way, she has always been a supportive voice in this crazy and make-your-own-path creative venture I’ve chosen. And even if I was to change my mind and try something new, I know she would support me. She sees the separation between her life and my life, that even though she brought me into the world, I have my own world to order.

Children and their quality of life is my mom’s passion. I can tell you it’s hard not to be aware of child-rearing techniques, children’s literature and age-appropriate toys when it discussed often enough (she is a professor of early childhood development). In a world where little time and even less money is given to the care of young children, she is a bold advocate and supporter for it. She stayed home with my brother, sister and me at a time when it wasn’t as valued or applauded. She might not have the retirement account others have but I know she would never trade more savings for the time she spent at home with us. After giving away two, yes, two dogs during our marriage, I was scared out of my mind to have children because babies cannot be returned to the store. :) Having her at my side (or on the line) gave me a sense of peace.

As with most humans on the planet, my mom has had her fair share of adversity. They are not my stories to tell but I can say her decisions required boldness and a belief she was making the right choice, for herself and her life. Sometimes boldness is disguised as class and I am so thankful she chose class instead of vindictiveness and retaliation.

My mom has chosen to live a life filled with curiosity, laughter, love and a touch of weirdness. Because of her, I know it’s okay to hang just slightly outside mainstream, to cut one’s own path. I am so thankful for her boldness because in being bold in her life, I saw the possibility for boldness in my own.

Who or what has influenced you? Is it a person? A story? A person in history? Whatever the reason, whoever it was, make sure to give thanks. Boldness isn’t something everyone has.

If you want to share a pic on Instagram, add the hashtag #boldbrilliantbeautiful so we can all see you! If you tag me (@thisheartofmineblog), I’ll leave you a message!

For 2014, I’ve joined forces with some blogging friends of mine to motivate and encourage ourselves and others to be bold, brilliant, beautiful and decidedly ourselves. And we totally want you to join us! The #boldbrilliantbeautiful project is a support group for all of us seeking to be real and vulnerable. No judging, no questions, just support and words of encouragement. Find us on Instagram with the #boldbrilliantbeautiful hashtag and on the Bold. Brilliant. Beautiful. You. Facebook page. All are invited and welcome. :)