"There is a difference between imitating a good man and counterfeiting him." - Benjamin Franklin
 
"Whomsoever you follow, howsoever great he might be, see to it that you follow the spirit of the master and not imitate him mechanically." - Mohandas K. Gandhi
 
Duane Laflin has been a tremendous influence upon me.  I have learned a lot about showmanship and magic with silk scarves from him.  I have developed many routines that were inspired by his routines.  I have tried hard to not become a Laflin clown but to use what I have learned from him to express my own personality.  Several years ago I performed in a public outreach show at a clown ministry conference.  After the performance a lady approached me and said, "You remind me a lot of Duane Laflin."  My heart sank thinking she had recognized the origin of my routines.  She continued, "You both present clear messages and what you do is firmly grounded in the words of the Bible."  I was relieved.  She didn't recognize specific routines.  She had recognized qualities in Duane's performances that I admire and have tried to make a part of mine.
 
In the mid-1980's the Los Angeles PBS station rebroadcast the Jackie Gleason Show, also known as the American Scene Magazine.  It was on this show that Jackie first introduced Ralph Kramden in the Honeymooners sketches.  He also performed other characters on the show including Al the Bartender, Reginald Von Gleason the Third, and the Poor Soul.  (All of these characters can be seen in Christmas Party episode included in the DVD titled The Honeymooners Lost Episodes Volume 3.)  I was particularly impressed by his silent Poor Soul character.  That summer when I was working at Raging Waters I sometimes realized that I was moving like the Poor Soul while performing certain routines.  What I particularly admired about the character was his gentleness.  That is what I wanted to incorporate into my performances.  I seldom move like the Poor Soul anymore, but some recent comments confirmed that I have captured his gentle spirit.
 
Another person I greatly admire is a Japanese magician named Fukai.  Three years ago I purchased a Dancing Cane from him at the Magic Show Conference.  I bought the prop on the first day of the conference.  Throughout the rest of the weekend he would coach me in performing with the cane.  When the dealer tables were open, he would show me a step in operating a dancing cane.  I would practice what he showed me and then return when the dealer room was open again.  He corrected things I was doing wrong before they became a habit that would be hard to break, encouraged me, and when I was ready he would show me the next step.  By the end of the four day conference I had mastered the cane well enough that I was confident I would be able to develop a routine with the prop.  I try to follow his example when I have a dealer table.  When somebody purchases one of my packet magic effects, I demonstrate how to perform it.  I ask them to practice the effect on their own and come back to me if they have any questions.  Then I work with them one-on-one to be sure they can perform the effect when they go home. 
 
I am amazed by Fukai's creativity.  I have heard others express a similar opinion.  Yet, when you talk to Fukai he tells you about other magicians who impress him with their creativity.  He is not insecure.  He knows he is creative.  However, he remains a great appreciator of other magicians.  That is something I try to maintain myself.
 
The person I admire the most of all is my father.  I have copied many of his qualities.  He is committed to lifelong learning.  He was a school teacher who earned Continuing Education Units his entire career and has always taken classes as he explored new hobbies.  He is very creative.  I learned my work ethic from him.  I also learned my commitment to family and friends from him.  My niece Julie claims that my father and I have the same sense of humor. 
 
Who do you most admire?  What is it that you like about them?  What is their spirit? How can you make that a part of your life?