The word ad-mire is made up of two parts. The “ad-“ part shows up in a lot of English words that have something to do with bringing two things together, such as admit, advance, and adhere. The “-mire” part comes from an ancient word that means “smile.” Therefore, something that you admire is something that brings you a smile. The feeling you get as that smile comes to you is called “admiration.”
Asking yourself what you admire is much the same as asking, “What makes me smile?”
Are there things or people that always make you smile? What have you smiled at so far today? When has a smile struck you by surprise? Are some smiles more inward than outward? (Continue…)