Influence...

That’s a deep thought.

We have the ability to influence others. Sometimes it’s through friendship, the things we say and advice given. Other times, we may not even notice that someone is watching and listening to the things we do and say. It’s kind of scary to realize that the choices we make and things we do, affect not only us, but those who are watching. That leaves the question to be asked: are we being a good influence or a bad influence?

I have had A LOT of really good influences in my life (there's been many of them). I’m incredibly grateful for the people who encouraged, inspired, and challenged me.
I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for them.

There have also been a few not so good influences. I’m glad to say I’ve seen that as a lesson in what not to do, and that also helped shape who I am now.

But who I am now, is a leader. I’ve never really seen myself as a leader. I used to prefer to just blend with the crowd. Then I reached the point where I began to wonder if people even noticed I was there, and if my existence had any real purpose at all. I know there is a reason I was created, so I’m not going to just exist in hiding.

In September there will be students here for the D-school, and I will be a leader. I remind myself that I was an RA my Senior year at college. Somehow that was different. There were a lot more people, students, teachers, deans, etc. I was only 1 of many influencers.

Here there are teachers – guest speakers that come for a week and teach on whatever topic, and then they leave and another one comes. And on outreach, we have hosts. But we, the school staff are with the students all the time. We live in the cabins with them, eat meals together, lead small-groups and meetings, and facilitate their classes. We oversee their work-duties and run the kitchen. Then we go on a road trip, and then to a foreign country. We do life together, and there’s not very many of us, so we get to know each other quite well.

With that friendship comes the capacity to influence. The sacrifices we make can encourage others to do the same. And when we are selfish or rude, that gives them license to act that way as well. I just hope that I can be a good influence, and when I am not, that they will learn what not to do.