Who would you spend your day with?

If you could spend one day with anyone you wanted, who would it be? I asked myself this question recently and agonized over it all day—as if I could come up with one, it might really happen. In the end, I narrowed the list to three; that was the best I could do.

So in no particular order, here they are:

Michelle Obama. If I could spend a day with Michelle (of course, we’d be on a first-name basis), I would let her know what an inspiration she is to me — the way she has managed to be successful as the First Lady and a mother, her physical fitness, her grace under pressure, her sense of humor and intelligence. I’m sure there are difficulties and insecurities we don’t see in public, but she is amazing and makes me want to be a better person. I would ask her what a typical day in the life of the First Lady is like. What does she do for fun? To relieve the stress? I would ask for a peek into her closet. Where does she shop? I would ask her what she wants to do for herself once her husband is out of office and the girls are grown. What are her aspirations?

We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.” ~Michelle Obama

We want easy change, we want change that will make us feel comfortable, but that’s not how change happens; it’s not something that’s just going to come to you passively.” ~Michelle Obama

Oprah Winfrey. For my day with Oprah, I would ask her to tell me the story of her journey from poverty and obscurity to success and fame. What was her first step down that path? Did she recognize it as such at the time? I would ask which of her guests surprised her the most. What did she learn from that person? Of course, I’d need a list of her favorite books. And finally, I’d want to have her advice for digging deep and living your best possible life.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” ~Oprah Winfrey

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.” ~Oprah Winfrey

Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin). I mean, really, who wouldn’t want to meet Judy Judge (outside of the courtroom, of course). She’s bright, witty, successful, brutally direct—and she rocked a bikini on her 70th birthday! So, of course, first thing, I would ask her how she stays in such great shape. Then I’d want to know if she enjoys her job as much as it seems. How does she keep from getting cynical? Or does she? What does she really think of the litigants who come before her? Does she ever have any contact with any of them after the court hearing? What kind of mother is she—tough or a secret softy? Does she spoil the grandkids? Looking back on her life, does she have any regrets? Would she have done anything different? What is she passionate about? How did she discover that? Any advice for finding my own passion, for making a living at it?