“We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.”
– Stephen King
First off, as a teacher, this quote really resonates with me. I have had 2 students come back to tell me how my class impacted them in my 7 years. It’s the stuff we teachers thrive on. We are constantly wondering “Am I making a difference? Am I just instructing or am I inspiring? Am I increasing students’ interest in science or just planning, talking and grading?” The students we get feedback from can keep us going for years but we must assume (or we’ll go crazy) there are many other students that we influence and inspire that we never hear from.
The realm of our influence is also unknown in blogland. Last week, I wrote my first Motivational Monday post. I loved writing it but I didn’t know whether it would impact anyone else. Boy was I wrong. I heard from a reader that was so inspired by last week’s quote, she decided to start writing a daily quote on the bottom of a coworker’s white board. She told me she’s not usually the type to do something like that but she thought it was a fun idea and started last Wednesday. She said she noticed a number of coworker’s stopping to read the quotes and asking if she’s changed it yet. Her boss even commented on how she enjoyed reading the quotes. (She sent me a few quotes, I’ll use one next week, so get excited!) I had no idea that my post would have that kind of influence and she doesn’t know who will be affected by her quotes. I’m influenced just by hearing about her amazing initiative (what a fabulous positive leader she must be).
The same is true for our everyday interactions with other people. For example, we don’t know how our interaction with the checker at the grocery store might influence that checker or the others that witness our interaction. We will never know which lives we influence but we can try to make sure that influence is positive.
This quote made me think about teaching, blogging and every day life (good, huh?). I strive to have a positive influence on my students and my readers but I need to concentrate on the influence I have on those around me throughout the day. I’m not talking about just being nice. There are multiple areas of influence in each of our interactions. Think about how children are being influenced by seeing people constantly on their phones while interacting with others. I can say, “Please” and “Thank You” but if I’m not being attentive, am I really being a positive influence on those around me? I know we’re all busy but Facebook and the texts can wait a few minutes (I’m not trying to be too preachy, I’m guilty as well).
Last week, I charged you to live each day and not to wait to be happy. This week, I will try to be a positive influence on those around me in as many interactions as possible. Will you join me?
[...] quote comes from the reader I mentioned in last week’s Motivational Monday. It is one she wrote on her coworker’s white board last week and then emailed to me (if you [...]