imitation is the best form of flattery?

I looked at the actual pair bronzed boots I have and what they represent. The boots are of one of several owned by my grandfather Mac. When he died, his boots and hat were bronzed and given to his siblings to keep as a memento of their father. I inherited them from my mother upon her passing. They are a prized possession because of who they represent.

My grandfather lived a rich life, and never shied from a challenge. He faced times of adversity and times of prosperity. He lived his life by his rules and his beliefs and his instincts. I do not think he tried to emulate one person, he just lived life every day.

There is not a day goes by when his siblings do not think about him and in some way try to live up to him. The funny thing is, I know he did not live his life hoping this would happen, it just did.

Too many times we are caught up in trying to live up to someone's expectations instead of just doing the best we can and making the most of a situation.

I think Dee {,as we called him}, is probably smiling looking down at us trying to live up to his approval, while wishing we just lived up to our own potential.

So what is it that makes us want to be like him? We cannot be like someone who didn't try to be like someone else. We seek to emulate examples of people who we look up to, respect, maybe even envy, but why? Why not just do what those people have done and go forward and seek the best opportunity, fight the challenges, overcome adversity and try to be a good person overall? It might surprise us to know we are just as capable of shining if we look within and not try to be someone else.

Imitation is a form of flattery, but originality is even better. The actual bronzed boots I have represent the originality of my grandfather and his life, and it prompts the following controversial thought:

Is imitation a form of flattery, or is it us being lazy and content in following another's path? Shouldn't we pursue instead originality?