Women Who Inspire: I Am The Sum Of All Their Parts

When I took upon this challenge, I knew I had to talk about all the women I admire and all their contributions that have inspired me throughout my life.

I admire women. In my personal life, women had been a great influence in my development as a person and an inspiration to become a better man.

That admiration translates to my love of movies and video games. I love strong female characters on both genres since I believe that, if done right, they can have the most depth and be more interesting than their male counterparts.

Imagine my surprise when I got stuck trying to write about all of these outstanding individuals. I didn't know where to start or how to express it.

And then, it clicked. Instead of talking about the individual, I would like to pray tribute to their intangibles traits and attributes women in my life have. Inspiration that knowingly or unknowingly to them, molded the person I am today.

Why this approach? You ask.

We all have women in our lives that at some point or even now, keep us motivated (social influencers, actresses, musicians, artists, business women, you name it), and I believe this is not a competition where the woman I choose to talk about is better than yours.

I want to make a general statement of feelings, ideas, motivations, from women in my life, that can apply to someone you know. I believe that's the real strength women have, no matter who or whey they come from. The ability of making a better human being out of you with their ideas, their beauty, their laugh, their tears, their power, their talent, and I hope that my article will apply to the women in yours.

This is why I chose the 'Portrait of an Unknown Woman' by Ivan Kramskoi, as my title image. No knows who she was, everyone speculate about her origin, but everyone had a different opinion and feeling about her, and that's the point.

Here are the moments in my life that have been inspired by women.

Who are they? That's for you to decide.

1. The Unselfish Fighter

This applies to my mother, and my grandmother. These exceptional women have fought adversity all their lives. I have seen them overcome so many obstacles that would break a lesser person. Both have dedicated most of their lives to their loved ones, putting always themselves second.

I have the good fortune that I still have both of them with me, and I'm still amazed on how resilient and strong they are. Physically, they are still the stalwarts I've always known, but their heart and soul are unbreakable. My existence is better with them around.

2. The Fearless

My sister. I am older than her, but she has taught me so much. She is my real life super hero. She has so many great qualities but to mention one, would be her ability of making people rally behind her. She has this way of instill confidence in you, that you have no other option but to follow her lead. She is fearless, and at times, she just seems invincible. She is strong, smart, and bold.

When we were both younger, I was so jealous of her for having all of these qualities I lacked, and my way to deal with that was to verbally attack her. I was so angry with myself, but I took it out on her.

But she never gave up on me. Even when she had every right to do so.

She set the bar I strive to reach every day of my life. I know I will never reach her, but that's the point. It's not about competing with her. It's about following her lead.

3. The Wise One

This goes to one high school teacher I had. I am not a fan of school or teaching as a whole. I believe teachers should contribute to your life outside your home, and it's really hard to find that. As a student, I would rather study on my own in the library, and pass my tests, than listening to someone that wouldn't explain the why or how.

I was undisciplined in the classroom, and never pay attention to teachers that I thought weren't interesting enough to keep my focus in their classes.

Then I met this teacher. She basically put her job and career on the line for me. When I asked her why? she simply said: "You should give people a chance. I am."

With that simple statement, she made me realize how selfish and self-centered I was. She shifted my focus towards people, society, and even myself. At that point, I became a different person. That day, I understood what real teaching is all about.

4. The One That Inspired Me To Become A Better Man

I could write a whole different article just about her, and the impact she had in my life. When I entered the second part of my life, she is the one that made me close the book, and open the newest chapter.

She made me value myself.

Every day I wake up and see myself in the mirror, I thank her for the man and person I have become.

Knowing her is one of the highlights of my life.

5. The Artist

She is the reason why I started writing, and why I continue to do so. Her drive, her creativity, and her talent have inspired me to pick up skills I once abandoned due to thinking I wasn't good enough or simply time have passed me by.

She showed me that time is not important, when the impact is directly in your soul.

When I write, I don't think about time or anything else. It's just about what I have in front of me. Living in the moment, but with sights in the future.

She is an artist in all aspects of the word. She inspires, and her heart can be seen on all of her art. I am grateful for knowing her.

These women have had an impact in my life, I never expected to experience. I am grateful for have known them, talked to them, laughed with them, lived in the same lifetime.

The best I can do for them, is keep everything I learned from them alive, and to pass it along.

I want people to experience everything I had, thanks to them.

They are truly the definition of inspiration.