5. Jennifer Caitlyn Gower:

The most gifted, natural-born teacher I know, in and out of the classroom. Caitlyn just began teaching this year with Teach for America, but as a former RA in college, she's taught more life lessons than almost anyone I can think of.

Everyone who knows Caitlyn has knows that passion emanates from her in such an inspiring and contagious way that no one escapes unmoved. Her desire to help young girls realize their true beauty and her heart for victimized children has led her to pursue a life in line with her ethical convictions: teaching high school English in the inner city of Las Vegas, arguably the most decadent destination in the U.S.

She has moved me to tears in a matter of minutes as she regales to me her love for these children who come in with cigarette burns on their backs and sneers slapped on their faces by too many sleepless nights of babysitting their siblings while their moms work two night shifts. But Caitlyn will not tolerate the way society marginalizes and martyrs those who are vulnerable. She never backed down in college when her residents needed her, and she's not about to start now. For her strength in the face of hardship, her sensitivity in the face of a calloused world, and her joy in the face of a Herculean task, I admire her more than she knows.

Life Principles:

1. Living in guilt is just as detrimental to your testimony as living in sin is. Reliving your past mistakes doesn't help you, or anyone else for that matter.

2. Learn to say you're sorry, even if you feel like you didn't do anything wrong. When someone else feels hurt, it ceases to be about what you did or did not do. Accidentally killing someone would still result in their death-- it doesn't matter if you did or didn't mean for it to be that way. Life is too short to value your pride over caring for another person's heart.

3. Laugh at yourself. There's such joy in being able to realize you're not perfect, and such freedom in not caring about it. It numbs the sickened feeling of embarrassment in your stomach, and you get to enjoy the humor with other people.

4. Be careful who you love...but when you decide to love someone, love the way you want to be loved: without limits and with constant affirmation. This is true for any relationship, not just romantic ones. Give yourself over to expressing yourself exuberantly as you attempt to communicate your love for those who are special to you.

5. Dance and sing all the time, even if you don't feel like you're good at it. Who cares if people laugh at you for being happy? Plus, these two things will definitely be in heaven, so we might as well practice now.

6. Listen to kids. Sometimes it is completely uninteresting, but if you never listen, you'll miss the times when it is beautiful, earth-shattering, and wise. You'll miss the moments when God is trying to get through to you.

4. Cyndi Darnell:

Elementary school librarian, nurturing spirit, and a crucial family stone as mother, daughter, wife, sister, and in-law in one of the healthiest families I have ever known.

There are two kinds of librarians I have observed. First, there are the mean-as-fire-ants noise hawks who give you a spit bath with their shushing every time you enter the presence of a book. These, of course, have their merits when you want to hunker down to study and need someone to lay down the law, but they certainly tip Machiavelli's scale towards fear rather than love.

Every once in a while, though, you find the other kind of librarian: a gem like Cyndi Darnell who inspires (even in children) the same silence by instilling love and respect for the books and reverence for knowledge.

In addition to being a world-renowned children's librarian, Mrs. Darnell (in partnership with her husband) has successfully raised four well-rounded children who love each other, seek things that are truly important in life, and contribute beautifully to society in their respective fields of interest. To me, in this day and age, that in itself is a miracle worthy of admiration.

Life Principles:

1. Remember that to whom much has been given, much is required and expected. As someone who has been given much, God expects more out of us than what we naturally would do (e.g. relax in a recliner and fall asleep reading a book). God blesses us to bless others, not because it's all about us.

2. Be content in all things- will your circumstances make you bitter or better? We have been given a choice of whether our experiences will make us more of a person or less of one. We should always seek to be patient, and to be content as we wait for the plan of our lives to unfold.

3. Use your time and resources to make a lasting difference. Most people do not have spare time in abundance, so make it count for something beyond yourself and the immediate future, and choose your causes wisely.

4. Hold out for the best. Many good things come in and out of your life for a season, but good things are just good things. Seek out what is truly the best.

5. Keep an "all for one and one for all" mentality with your family. Any time someone has an event, everyone goes and supports. Any vacation, any time you're eating out- stick together. No one gets left behind and no one gets to choose to stay behind, either.

6. To relate to children, seek them out and show them they can trust you. Smile, bend to eye level, play games to eliminate shyness, use their name, etc.

7. Have a "let me make your day" attitude in all you do. Every person, young or old, works hard to get noticed in some way or another because they crave attention and validation. Make people feel special by being an encouragement and complimenting them. Show them you think they are important and you care about their lives by asking questions and following up with more questions about their answers.

3. Jonathan Seale:

My closest sibling in age, my best friend, and a true professional in all he does.

Jonathan, or Jon as most people call him, is the sibling everyone hates to follow. But I consider it an honor when I get "Jon's Little Sister" instead of my name. I wish I could sit and brag on the incredible awards he has won and opportunities he has had as a music producer in NYC, but I know he wouldn't like it so I'll refrain.

What I will say is that the opportunities he is granted come because other people notice in Jon what his family has known all along: he is a once-in-a-millenium blend of raw talent, intuition, and dedication when it comes to his passion for music. Jon will always end up with a superior product because he knows how to foster greatness in others through encouragement and example.

Life Principles:

1. Compliment people in front of other people. This magnifies the compliment, and starts a positive cycle for the conversation. Plus, they can enjoy it twice as much. Along those same lines, never criticize someone in front of other people.

2. Find a genius and become his partner. Seek out the best, most talented people in your field and tell them you want to work with them. Team building and collaboration, as shown by Parisian salons during the Enlightenment, create a community and an environment where the brain is being stimulated.

3. Recognize and affirm every role. Details and thank you's are important.

4. Remember that time is everyone's most valuable commodity. Show people you care by giving them your time, and don't waste someone else's time when they choose to share it with you.

5. Many times, the biggest obstacle obstructing you from your goal is yourself. Don't get caught up in self-consciousness or feelings of inferiority. People are people, and pretty much anyone is within your realm of contact if you choose to make the effort. The people at the top are not always the most talented, but they're usually the most confident and driven.

6. Develop at least one thing that you do well and use it as leverage for your vision. It is important to demonstrate to other people that your ideas are couple with drive.

7. If you don't have goals, you'll be working for the guy who does have goals. Focus your impact.

2. Josiah Seale:

My oldest brother, a severe brain injury survivor, and the most intelligent person I know.

I cannot think of any way to describe Josiah other than that he lives an entirely unique life to the fullest.

He just got his third degree from M.I.T. He has two tongue piercings and wears a bow tie almost everywhere he goes. His skull belt buckle clanks against the oven handle as he checks to see if his soup is ready and the onions are caramelized yet. He makes more commotion over a beautiful day than most people would about a pay raise.

From my observation, I would say that Josiah lives with full speed ahead, and that any and every accomplishment, setback, or neutral event in his life is a footstep rather than a monument on his ever unfolding journey.

Life Principles:

1. It falls to us to shape the world. We all have an idea of what we want the world to look like- society, interaction with nature, relationships. We must choose to pursue this idea. As our grandmother says, 'Someone has to do it, and it might as well be me.'

2. Find the balance between order and chaos. We live in a rapidly changing world, and what works today may not work tomorrow. We must be open to changes in the way we operate (which relates back to point 1).

3. Exist in dialogue. We should always try to learn from our own experience, but it is also important to learn from the experiences of others. My experience may not be representative of the world, so I should understand that people may not always see eye to eye with me. Listen, repeat back, reflect on what other people say and verify to get a clear understanding, even if you don't agree.

4. Operate with humility. Never discount out of hand what people are saying. We all have different life experiences and our conclusions are shaped by these circumstances. Everywhere, people are just people, putting their pants on one leg at a time. You can learn something from everyone, just as people can learn from you. No need to look down on others or, conversely, be afraid of people in power.

5. Push yourself because you can. We don't challenge ourselves because we have to, we do it because it's a privilege to get to grow. Seek more out of your life simply because you have the opportunity to make something of yourself.

6. In all things, behave like the person you want to be. Rather than simply "staying true to yourself," acknowledge who you are and what setbacks you have and act as you believe your ideal self would. 'Part of me wants to act in x way but I know instead I should and will act in y way instead."

7. The world doesn't owe us anything. Just because there are extraordinary success stories out there doesn't mean you are entitled to one, even with hard work and perseverance. The world doesn't always, or even usually, give ease for effort. So don't always expect success and when it comes, don't take it for granted.

(shared credit to Angela Kilby, Josiah's life partner, for numbers 6 and 7)

1. Kathy Wright:

The reason my parents ended up staying in Macon, GA.

It goes without saying in the Seale household that the greatest compliment anyone can attribute when describing a new person is, "They just remind me of Aunt Kathy, you know?"

Just the mention of her name always brings back too many memories to count. The casseroles dropped by when a parent is sick or when family is coming to town. The handwritten cards I can always look forward to on my birthday or during finals. The sweetest hug you have ever known with a voice like a summer breeze reassuring you, "I love you so much." Always. She is the best example I know of a person who lives out a love for both God and man.

Mother of two. Chef extraordinaire. Recent grandmother. Faithful wife. Friend and sister to all she meets.

Life Principles:

1. Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people. (From her a magnet on her mother's refrigerator) If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. There's really no need to talk about people- ever.

2. The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew no one would find out. Keep that in mind in all your actions.

3. Always put people before things. Don't worry about acquiring so much stuff, because you get to a point in your life where all you want to do is pare down your possessions. More is not always better. People are what really matter in life.

4. Don't let things pile up. Debt, weight, pieces of paper, anything. If you are diligent about staying on top of things, it will save you time and grief in the long run.

5. Don't rush things! There will be time.

6. Always put God first. Remember that he is orchestrating everything, and nothing is out of his control. Trust in that and be satisfied.