my most influential list

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Have you ever wondered how you turned out the way that you did? Why you (hypothetically speaking, of course) have to sit on the right side of people? Why you are a passive or aggressive person? Why you think the way that you do?

Obviously a lot of this has to do with genetics — many people have personality traits and quirks that they are just born with. On the other hand, have you ever thought about what behaviors you have are learned behaviors? I always wonder where I picked things up from — why I react the way I do, why I feel like some things are so important and other things more trivial. I really believe it has a lot to do with my environmental influences during my life.

Every year, I am always seeing publications in the news or in magazines about the “World’s Most Influential” men/women/politicians/world leaders/etc. I got to thinking if I had to choose five people who influenced me the most so far in life — who would those people be? It’s interesting as I was thinking about this on the way to work the other day because I don’t think three of these five people would have any clue about just the significant influence they had on me throughout my life.

That makes me think about the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven — a very easy and thought provoking read if you have never read it. This story presents the idea that when you get to Heaven, you will meet the five people who you have had the most effect and influence on throughout the course of your life, even if you had no idea you played such a large role in their life.

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Coincidentally enough, two of my five people were older women I was close to when I was a teenager and in college. That speaks volumes to me, and it makes me cross my fingers that I am having some sort of influence on the students I am with each day.

So, who are on my top five six (I can’t choose just five!) list?

My Mom. If you don’t read enough about my mom already, she has been and will always be the number on influence on the choices I make in life. Even when I potentially did something stupid when I was younger, I always thought about what my mom would think about the choice I made if she found out about it. My mom has taught me how to be confident in yourself even when no one else is standing behind you. She has taught me when to pick my battles — because in reality the small things don’t really matter. She is the reason I hug hard, ask others how they are doing on a daily basis, put others before me, and say “I love you” constantly.

My Dad. Oh, my dad. If you were to ever meet my dad, you would find a character. My dad is the strong silent time (unless he is angry of course.). He is the reason why I go quiet when I am in a bad mood. My dad has taught me that even though I have a husband that women should be equipped to tackle any task a man could do (hence the reason why I had to put together my own TV stand when I was 13). My dad is the reason why I will be a strict parent, why I will be tough on rules and structure, and why I have high expectations for others around me. My dad is also the reason why my patience is almost non-existent and why I huff a heavy sigh when I am frustrated with others. Last but not least, my dad is the reason why I use ridiculous words that others may not know just because “i can”.

My High School Small Group Leader. I met Sara when I was 13 and in 8th grade. Now, Sara lives with her family in Iowa after moving there when I was 16. She has five beautiful children and actually has a blog! Sara was such a positive influence on me throughout my high school years and always made me think. From Sara, I learned not to judge others for the situations they might have found themselves in. I learned how to be a Godly wife and to respect your Husband (still working on this one sometimes…). Sara is the reason why I am so passionate about young girls and the impact they can have on the world. I still talk with Sara occasionally and will always be grateful to her for what she taught me when I was younger.

My High School Swim Coach. Swimming was a huge part of my life when I was a teenager. Okay, I take that back — it was my life. From two-a-day practices to being part of a team, I didn’t have time for much other than swimming during the season. My swim coach was tough. She was hard. She expected a lot from us each and every day. She didn’t take excuses. At the time, I hated it. There were many times I went home crying from swim practice because of how “hard” it was — physically and mentally. From my swim coach, I learned not to give up on something that seems difficult at the time. She is the reason why I work as hard as I do. She is the reason why I have high expectations from my students and don’t take their excuses (they’ll thank me later). To this day, I still go back and see my coach, and I hope she knows just how much of an impact she had on me and my life.

My Cooperative Teacher. During student teacher, I was paired up with the most amazing teacher in the world. Dierdre taught me so much, not only about teaching, but about living life. Dierdre is the reason why I love my students as much as I do. She is the reason why I don’t let myself get too worked up about things that happen at work. Dierdre taught me how to be a compassionate teacher, knowing that circumstances may get in the way of learning sometimes. Because of her, I have confidence in myself as a teacher and a professional. She is the reason why I am constantly building my students up and telling them each and every day how proud I am of them and what I expect of them throughout the day.

My Husband. I couldn’t leave him out, now could I? John is by far the most patient man I know — he has to be for living with me. The Husband has taught me that it’s okay to get angry, but sometimes it’s not worth the battle to fight over every. single. thing. Because of the Husband, I know that with hard work and dedication, anything you set your mind to is possible. The Husband is the reason why I will go out of my way to help others if they need me — because nothing is more important than other people and their feelings. I have also learned from the Husband that it is okay if things aren’t always perfect — that in life, it’s okay for things to get fuzzy every once in a while. The Husband is responsible for my (few and far in between) spontaneous acts. He’s the yang to my yin.

It’s interesting to see the different traits and lessons I have picked up from each one of these people over the course of my life so far. I am sure I will meet and be influenced by many more throughout it all. I also kind of selfishly hope I am on someone else’s list at some point someday and hear from them just how I may have influenced them.

Question: What five people would be on your list?

Tagged as: five people you meet in heaven, most influencial people, people who have influence on me