As we mature with age it is very easy to forget what we learn along the way. A simple lesson that we learn sub-consciously can have a profound effect upon both our and others' lives. The purpose of this article is to make us aware that we can ALL have a substantial effect on others and in a very positive way indeed!
Let me give you an example. I want you to think back to your school days (this used to be much easier for me but the memory bank has to work a little harder these days!): I'm sure you have some good memories and some not so good memories! Let's deal with the 'not so good ones first' and get them out of the way. Was it a teacher or another pupil that made your life quite horrible? Can you remember their name? See their face? Does this bring back other memories of places you used to go? Things you used to do? Or things they used to do to you that you didnt like. Name calling, teasing, bullying? Horrible wasnt it!
Could you remember something? I'm sure you did and I'm sure some of it is quite vivid. Our brain is amazingly complex and clever and one thought can trigger off many others. I'm sure you can remember the horrible things that they either used to say or do!
Ok, lets forget those things very quickly and move onto nicer thoughts. Who was your best or favourite teacher? What was their name? Can you remember what they looked like? Their voice? The lessons that they used to teach, probably your favourite wasnt it? What about your favourite friend or friends at school. What were their names? What did you do together? What are your favourite memories from your time with them? What places did you go to? What pictures in your mind can you remember? Any particular colours? Smells? noises? WOW!
Again, I'm sure that you have remembered some really nice events and activities that you used to do. Think now about the positive influence that that person or people have had on your life. In some cases when I discuss this with my students it can be quite profound even to the point where it influenced their career, the type of people that they liked and have strived to become.
If you read autobiographies of famous people and start to read about what influenced them in their lives there is very often that 'special person'. DO NOT underestimate the power of kind words, thoughts and actions. Who can you think of at work or at home who is patient? Who can you think of who doesn't lose their temper? Who do you know is kind, thoughtful and a really nice person?
Whether people are nice or horrible, it does influence other people (we covered both of these types with your school thoughts). This is called modelling. We model others peoples behaviour, either consciously or unconsciously, BUT we do do it!
My challenge to you all in this short article is to be a good model for others, be a memory for someone tomorrow that they will look back on and have nice thoughts about. In fact tomorrow why dont you strive to become someone's favourite teacher or best friend because isn't that what life's all about? Making someone feel that you actually care about them.
FINAL THOUGHT - What if you are the only person today or tommorow that makes someone think that someone actually cares about them?
