Here we go, part two of my magic test of seven.
There are so many people that do admirable things, so starting this off I wanted to narrow it down a little further. I selected seven people who I don’t only admire but who awaken something in me, in one way or another. Something else they have in common is that they are all alive :-) (How many of your “heroes” have died already?)
I would love to have dinner with them. Together they would make a very special soiree. I’m pretty sure they would like each other.
Here they are:
Rena Quint: I read an interview in a German newspaper a few months ago. What an impressive lady. She survived the Holocaust, lost everything and everybody but not her faith in life. Her optimism and her attitude more than inspire me. Here is an interview with Rena where she tells her exceptional story with an amazingly clear and untroubled voice.
JFM: Full name, Joshua Fields Millburn. I took his writing class and read his memoir. He has the talent to hug people with his words. In a very unagitated way. No loud screaming, no big marketing. A true minimalist but even more so, someone who is very passionate about people, about writing and about adding value to this world. His calm enthusiasm inspires me as he shows these two things are not contradictions.
Marina Abramovic: What an artist. Provocative, intense, wild. When people wonder whether it is art or insanity. Borderless. I cried with her when she reconnected with her old love Ulay at the MoMA. When they split up their last piece of work together was a three months walk on the Chinese wall towards one another that ended in a last embrace. To learn just a tiny little bit about her life and work check out this 3 min excerpt
Simon Sinek: Start with Why. At first I thought it’s just another TED talk. But there is more to him. His daily quotes inspire me, and when I read his Twitter 3 sentence profile it resembled my own. I love his clear way of communicating. What he says may not be revolutionary but the way he gets it across is. I’m a fan.
Anne Hathaway: It wasn’t long ago that a friend posted Anna Hathaway’s Lip Sync Battle on Facebook. It made my day. There is nothing more joyful to watch then someone who gives it all. Her performance reminded me of Flashdance. I learned that the audience didn’t always love her. If you go on Google and type What problem do people have with Anna Hathaway you’ll be impressed. Perhaps it is my own eagerness being reflected here that makes me find her refreshing and adorable.
James Mollison: James was born in Kenya, grew up in England and is a most remarkable photographer. Take a look at one of his books called “Where children sleep” and you’ll understand what I mean. A man who traveled so intensely intrigues me even when his own portrait looks kind of intimidating.
Nick Vujicic: A wrote about him in this blog several times. No arms, no legs but what an incredible smile. He represents what you can do when you find your purpose and your bliss. I watched the movie The Butterfly Circus four times and I love his anti-bullying campaign.
Those are my seven and as a guest star, I would like to invite: Marshall Bruce Mathers III, better known as Eminem: “I am whatever you say I am; if I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?” Coming from a troubled youth he went a truly remarkable path and became a one of a kind artist. He somehow reminds me of my brother. Must be his audacity and coolness. So tough yet so vulnerable.
Yes, I would sure fancy such a dinner party!
Who would you want to have dinner with?
