The Ultimate Zen Girl

This darling 16 year old girl is my favorite human being on the planet right now. She represents what many of us strive to be: courageous, strong, sweet, humble, confident and poised in the face of adversity. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting her yet, let me introduce you to Malala.

One year ago, in October 2012, she was shot at point-blank range in the head by the Taliban for speaking publicly in favor of education for girls in Pakistan. Today, she is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Watch this interview with Diane Sawyer and get to know Malala a little better.

Miraculously, she survived the attack and has dedicated her life to promoting education for girls. This sweet 16 year old is considered such a threat to the Taliban that they have vowed to continue their attempts to assassinate her. Knowing that her life is always in danger, Malala tells Jon Stewart:

I started thinking about that, and I used to think that the Talib would come, and he would just kill me. But then I said, 'If he comes, what would you do Malala?' then I would reply to myself, 'Malala, just take a shoe and hit him.'  But then I said, 'If you hit a Talib with your shoe, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib. You must not treat others with cruelty and that much harshly, you must fight others but through peace and through dialogue and through education.' Then I said I will tell him how important education is and that 'I even want education for your children as well.' And I will tell him, 'That's what I want to tell you, now do what you want.'

Malala Yousafzai is our generation's Ghandi. And her message is clear: Don't confront violence with more violence, confront it with peace. Whether your enemy is the Taliban, your ex-boyfriend, your boss, or your own mind, we can all learn something from this little sage.

In my eyes, Malala is the Ultimate Zen Girl, filled with peace, love, compassion and good thoughts towards all - even towards her worst enemies. Now, that's someone we should all strive to be a little more like! Namaste, Malala!