How one chooses to leverage one’s influence is a rather complex equation that depends on many factors.
Really, who influences you? Is there even one person who has more or less influence on your decisions, thoughts and perspective on important or not so important life issues?
And if so, what are its characteristics? Is it creative, kind, genius or famous? Has it contributed in any way to your intellectual, professional or personal development? Does it influence others?
Last May, TIME magazine included in its annual list of the 100 most influential personalities in the world, among others, the famous actress Sarah Jessica Parker and the editor in chief of the Ukrainian independent news outlet “Ukrayinska Pravd”, Sevgil Musaieva. THE John Antetokounmpo is the strongest influencer name in Greece, among which are Mary Synatsakis and the Eleni Menegaki.
Influence is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “the power to have an effect on people or things” as well as “to influence or change the way someone or something develops, behaves or thinks”. But does it only concern those who are recognized as having this power? Undoubtedly celebrities create trends and norms measurable in numbers. But to what extent do they shape what really defines our thinking and value system? Should our attention be directed to those persons who influence the quality of our thinking? What if we ourselves had a real impact on someone’s life?
“So let’s say I am the sum of the people who shaped me” writes n Malvina Karalis inside cover from her book The Girls In Savannah. Like that person who entered your life quietly to believe in you on the days when you didn’t have the strength to support yourself. Who became a mentor, advisor and a safety net when everything seemed to fall apart, listening to your every vision in a supportive, yet grounded way. It could be your sister or brother who, although so different from you, protected your path like another guardian angel so that you can walk it with clarity. The friend who took the train on a Monday morning to be by your side when you thought you had it all wrong. The partner who applauded your success without feeling threatened by his own.
And on the other hand there is you. That you will never be too young or too old to influence what really matters. A day of volunteering, an unscheduled phone call to someone in real need just to ask if everything is okay and if they need anything, an unassuming act of interest, like listening uncritically to the story of one of your own people. How much can your kind and beautiful attitude shape someone’s bad day?
Although our society has made leaps and bounds in recording, assessing and interpreting trends, some quantities remain – fortunately – unquantifiable. It’s that dead center in the mirror where change happens, big or small. How one chooses to leverage one’s influence is a rather complex equation that depends on many factors. It is enough to first realize its simplicity but also its power.
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