Influence

Lately I have begun to realize what a great impact other people have on the way I act, both to them and to other people. For example, say there's a person named Beryal (not a real person by the way) at my school. I know that Beryal exists, she sits near me in at least one class, but I don't know her. I have relatively no opinion about her at all. Then, one of my friends says something similar to, "I find Beryal annoying." Suddenly I begin to be affected by it. The next time I see Beryal, I find myself almost naturally finding her annoying, without having any intention of having that thought and no reason to think that way except for the fact that a friend told me that she was annoying. Words are powerful. Actions are powerful. Often I wish that I was not affected in such ways by other people. But I don't believe I have ever been able to feel what it's like to not be influenced by another person. That might not be that great either. I believe there's a reason for this influence "problem." It works the other way too. When I see someone doing something good or saying something good about another person, I seem to be affected by that too. I begin to view the person as nice and want to know them better. I want to be able to do the good thing that the other person is doing and help others in that way.

I have now come to realize just how great an influence I might have on other people. This is all the more reason to be a good example. To strive to follow Jesus's example, who is really the only person I should ever strive to be like. I know that I can never be as great as Jesus, that it's impossible, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't try to get as close as I can. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

†God Bless†
Bria