Self explanatory. Except one thing, this is not like the evboarder recognition thread, this can be anyone. Also, you can write about more than one person, just try to keep it under three. And I'm not talking like, "Amy...cuz shes like...my idol!!!!!" type deal either. I'm talking about real inspiration. I'll start.

The person I admire the most is my mom. I feel so honoured when people tell me I remind them so much of her, not just on the outside,but also on the inside. My mom is the strongest woman on the earth, for sure. She's been through so much starting from when she was born, its just amazing. She's very strong willed, alot would even say stubborn, but she always stands up for what she believes in. She's always been the first to go after someone if she disagrees(peaceably,of course). Also, unlike most mothers now days, she refuses to brainwash me and lets me have my own thoughts and opinions. Most parents will have their child a set religion, way of dress,thought, ect. Not my mom. She wants ME to choose who I am. She wont choose for me. Shes always the first to be there for me when I need a listening ear though, always. When I go through a hard point, she always helps me, but not to the extent to where I dont learn from the experience. I've never had two parents really, but shes stayed strong for me and I try to do the same. We've gone through so much together, and we have a very close relationship. I dont have to hide anything from her. Also, her openmindedness is amazing. She accepts people for who they are, though she might not always agree with it, she is still open to their ways. Also, she puts me first in her life. She knows that as a teenager, I need her for many things. She goes out of her way for me, and anyone else whom she loves. She's taught me so much, its incredible. And I admire her for these things very much so.
-Jessica

Let me think...

I admire my grandparents. My grandfather was in WWII, in New Guinea. Just for that I admire him. Also both of them, because they've been married for 60 years. We used to take my grandma to do their shopping, and everytime, before we left, they'd kiss each other goodbye. It's so sweet. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be with someone for that long.

I admire my best friend Rebecca. She's pregnant, due the 26th of this month. She's alone, well, not alone, she's got her family, her friends, and me. But she's going to be a single mother. I don't know how I'd cope if it was me. But it's not, and she's doing really well. I think in that way, she's so much stronger than I am. I haven't told her this, maybe I should one day.

I admire my Austrian grandfather. He died on January 5, 2006. He had a battle with two kinds of cancer for under a year. I'll never say he lost the battle because I don't think he did. He just stopped fighting it. He was the most amazing man ever.

My other hero is Queen Rania of Jordan. She is an amazing woman who has demonstrated her potential by helping others worldwide. She is smart, personable, beautiful, and real.

Well, first and foremost, I admire Jesus. He lived a sinless life and died for me. Enough said.

I also admire Queen Elizabeth I, because she went against the norm of her culture that said that women were unable to do anything without a husband. Not only did she get along fine without a husband, she ruled a whole flippin country without one and did so well that she has a whole era named after her (the Elizabethan era/age), as well as two states (Virginia and West Virginia). Ok, enough with the history lesson. She was a strong woman who didn't conform to society.

I also admire our troops in the Middle East. Lord knows I wouldn't willingly go there.

My grandmother.

My grandmother, Helen, has immense strength. In fact, she is the strongest person I know. My grandmother has endured heartbreak numerous times, and still she is standing. My grandmother is seventy six years of age, and she has had more experiences with death than anyone I know. My grandmother has lost her mother, her father, her grandmother, her grandfather, two of her brothers, her husband, her son, her daughter, and two of her grandchildren. My grandmother has also endured many, many hardships. One of the hardships being a severe break-down.

My grandmother, though she can be bull-headed, has a heart of gold. I was thinking one day, and I realized that everyone in my family has lived with my grandmother at one point or another. Everyone.... including myself. She is just one of those people that never cease to amaze you. She is constantly giving, even if it means that she has to go without. If you need something, she will give her last penny to make sure you have it.

My best friend.

I only have one true best friend. My best friend is Jessica. Jessica was the first person within my life to show me how a genuine friendship operates. Jessica was the first person within my life to not judge me, and she was one of the first people to also show me infinite love. Above anything, and when all else fails, I know she is what I can believe in.

I have seen Jessica at her best, and I have seen her at her worst. Amazingly, at her worst, she has always faced her demons. I can honestly say that Jessica is the best thing to have ever happened to me thus far in my life, and I look forward to sharing my future with her, whatever it may hold.

My aunt.

Another person who is unbelievably strong is my aunt, Tylene. Tylene has also had her share of heartache alongside my grandmother. Tylene has also had many encounters with death, and on one occasion, she nearly came to her breaking point due to this experience. Despite this, she remained strong. Keeping this in mind, I think it is safe to say that she is yet another strong-willed person in my life, no?

Tylene is very successful. Tylene is not only a successful in her career as President of a popular freight-forwarding company for 7+ years, but she is also an accomplished photographer. Ty is also currently working on publishing a book in regard to cancer treatments. Although this project is on hiatus for a few weeks while she completes several hundred letters addressed to the United States Congress to support her research she has obtained thus far.

Another thing I admire about Tylene is her love for people, as well as animals. If you are being mis-treated, or if an animal is being mis-treated, Tylene is certain to be the first one to let whomever is mis-treating you know that they are in the wrong. Tylene has never nor will she ever be one for watching others suffer.

My baby sister.

My baby sister, Brooke, is yet another driving force in my life. Brooke, at age five, has taught me many lessons that I may have never learned had she not been born. Brooke has taught me to be patient most of all.

Brooke is such an adorable little girl, and she has such a shining aura. Whenever she comes near me, no matter what mood I am in, I cannot help but to smile. My baby sister is very precious to me, and she is one of the few people who can keep me afloat. Without her, I would truly be lost. That little angel is my hero.

My close friend.

My close friend, Sparky, is nothing short of amazing. I find it to be funny that he cannot see just how much beauty he holds within.

Sparky is not your typical teenage boy. In fact, he is the exact opposite. He is a man. Sparky has definitely had his share of terrible experiences, and what amazes me the most, aside from the fact that he still remains strong, is the fact that he has undergone all of this with little to no complaint.

Another incredible thing about Sparky is his loyalty to others. I swear, if there is something that he can do to help you, consider it done. He will not give up until he has completed what he promised you he would.

Not many people are like Sparky, and I find this to be sad. If the world had more people like Sparky, perhaps this would would not be as fucked up as it already is.

....I could go on and on about the wonderful things these people have done, and why I admire them so. It is just that even if I did, my words will do no justice because they are just that great.

I admire my mom A LOT! She has the biggest heart ever and would do anything for us kids. Now that I think about, she's covered my butt a whole lot! She's also one of the strongest people I know. She's really emotionally intelligent and she's always there if you need to talk!:D I hope I end up being able to get people through things like she does.:D

-kez

By the way, great idea for a thread!

I admire my grandmother. This woman has survived a miscarriage, 50 years in a very abusive marriage to my grandfather (had the police involved towards the end of it :( ), and even through the loss of my grandfather, and the cancer that is killing her, because she's bedridden and unable to move or feed herself now, she can still crack jokes, and she still remembers who we are, and smiles through the pain.

She's a stronger woman than I am. I'm going to miss her when she dies :(

i admire my other because even though she is in the hospitalright now. She literally came back from death. She was dead, and then came back to life. She has had miraculous progress and will make a very strong recovery. she is a real warrior and has the spirit of a goddess. She makes me proud to say i am her son.

i also admire Amy Lee because she is such a role model to girls and a goddess for us guys. She aspires to whom she wants, and she makes music more beautiful than angels. She is a choir of angels in one body, and inspiring to the world.

i also admire all of the U.S troops in Iraq. they are dying so i can say i hate my government and love my country. enough said. wouldn't you hate your government if it was headed by G.W too?

Aaron Lewis of Staind: For writing lyrics which I can relate to. His lyrics make me feel like i'm not alone and helps me to know that i'm not the only one who might feel a certain way at times.

I also admire myself: For all the things I have accomplished in my life, so far.

<3
- Nina

I admire those who overcome adversity when most people would cower, run, or ignore the problem. Those who find true happiness in the choices they make.

I admire myself, for all I've accomplished within myself.

Some stuff should be self-explanitory, such as myself, my mom, the father and son and the holy ghost, my friends, my grandparents, Amy Lee, etc., but I have more things than that on my list.

My acting Master's teacher dude, Dan
He. is. AWESOME! He's old, he's cynical, he always wears black, and he brags about being in the movie "American Crude" with Rob Schneider (he was a cop incase you saw the movie. He got to die, too). He is great.

Raskull
She has been through more stuff than I can imagine. She is sweet, intelligent, and has a really good personality--even though she doesn't like to admitt it. She is also my good friend, even though we live five hours away from eachother.

John Nash
I think many people on this board have heard of him. He was the guy in "A Beautiful Mind" who had Schizophrenia and learned to deal with it by using coping skills that have caused him to realize that he still has delusions and hallucinations, but he never gives into them. Like him, I have a psychiatric illness that may not be as extreme as Schizophrenia, but it is still pretty major. I'm learning to notice my moodswings when I have them, but not give into them and put myself into crisis mode. He also went to the same mental health clinic as me (Carrier Clinic; he has a whole chapter based on it in his book), and he and I live in the same town. Therefore, he is very inspirational.

The Dali Lama
Peaceful, pure-hearted, like a living saint. What more is there to ask?

My best friend, Jennifer

She is a single Mom of a 2 year old, and even more-so, she doesn't receive child support. She became pregnant after high school, and therefore didn't have any further training or qualifications. She works in a restaurant, sometimes as much as 70-80 hours per week to provide for her daughter, and she doesn't ask for help from anyone else. And though she works hard and comes home tired, she shows no less energy or enthusiasm when she gets home.

In addition to working more than full time, she maintains a tidy house, she spends a lot of time with her daughter, and she's trying to find a student loan to go back to school next year. She's a wonderful mother, and the best friend I've ever had. That's why I admire her and other hard-working single parents.

My Mom, obviously.

She's been a great leader. Not to me but to a lot of people. (she used to be the principal of a college preparatory school, the one I go to...). And when her contract ended, we (the faculty at the school) had a lunch for her...to wish her good luck on her getting her Ph.D...well its not a "Ph.D" title, more like D.Ed, I think (whatever the title for a Doctorate degree is for an educator)...one of the few Native American women to have a doctorate. She'll graduate with that in 2008, same year I graduate from high school...weird, I know.

A lot of people had good things to say about her, like she's always patient and handled situations calmly, (there were 2 suicides at the school this year and she handled them really well). She always acts in a professional manner and never showed anything less than that.

She's also very generous, like lending my aunt some money and not expecting to be paid back. Most of my relatives have had a lot of meals at her expense, and she also bought clothing for them.

I hope I can become someone like my mother when I get older. She set a high bar for me. Plus she's really pretty. When she was younger (like 10 years ago) she looked like Selena.