Who are you? It is such a difficult question to answer. Am I am parent or a child? Am I a student or a teacher? Am I a friend or a foe? Who am I?
Yesterday I attended a funeral service. As I sat in the service I thought about who she was. I thought of all the people in attendance and how she may have touched their lives. Perhaps, the idea of touching each others lives was fresh in my mind because I had the day before read a blog post by Cherry Woodburn ‘Learn About Your Hidden Superpower & Use It For Good’ where she talks about how we influence others in our every day lives.
When someone stands before those you have influenced and tells about your life, What will they say? Who will you have influenced with your words and deeds? Who will they say you were?
Does who you think you are and the influence you think you are having match with what others believe?
I am not suggesting that you live your life always concerned with other people. However, I do think we as parents, teachers and friends need to be mindful of how our words and actions influence those around us. As Cherry said in her blog post, you have superpowers, use them for good!
This week I listened to someone speak about Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It’s been a long time since I heard anyone speak about his work; like the speaker I continue to like and follow his work. She spoke about our circle of concern and our circle of influence. We can’t control outcomes but we certainly can influence them. Our words are important and our labels are too. I’ve been thinking about both a lot lately. When I saw you label yourself a struggler, I sighed. We all do the best we can at any given time – that may mean facing a challenge, it may mean joy, a success or a failure. But none of it (or at least most of it) doesn’t have to be a struggle. To me that has a negative connotation, fraught with difficulty and without pleasure. I think you’re a winner, a mover, someone who’s doing and trying things. Someone who’s helping others with their goals and self-talk.
You’ve brought me pleasure, I hope you are also bringing it to yourself. Cherry