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.