Influence

in⋅flu⋅ence [in-floo-uhns] noun, verb

noun
1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.

2. the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others: Her mother's influence made her stay.

3. a person or thing that exerts influence: He is an influence for the good.


So many people have influenced me. Some in big ways, some in very small ways. Not all positively. Most of them never set out to have an impact, they just did.

The idea of me setting out to put myself in a position to have an impact on people is strange. Intimidating. It's really a foreign concept to me. I always picture myself as gliding through life without leaving much of a fingerprint.

One person. If I can have an influence on just one person, I'll have accomplished my ultimate goal. That's not too lofty, is it?