Influence...
Recently, Ceci and I took the girls down the road for a walk in the woods. It was a beautiful fall evening, and we had a wonderful time walking in the woods. The girls were free to run around, kick the few leaves that had fallen, and release the excess energy they had stored up.
As we walked through the woods, I noticed something that has been happening for some time, but during our time in the woods it was even more noticeable... Mallory copied everything her sister did. If Elliana started to run, Mallory did the same thing. If Elliana kicked a leaf, Mallory followed suit. If Elliana jumped, Mallory jumped higher. (I'm serious about that one -- I think Mallory can out jump Elliana.) Anyway, back to my point. For some time Mallory has copied Elliana's every move... Elliana sings in Spanish. Mallory tries to sing in Spanish. Elliana gurgles her milk. Mallory does the same thing AND they both get in trouble -- Elliana a little more because she was a negative influence for Mallory! Elliana goes and hides, Mallory goes and hides. I think you get the point.
Watching this behavior got me thinking -- who am I influencing? How am I influencing others? Am I being a positive or negative influence? The truth is, all of us influence others by or actions and by the things we don't do. Like Elliana, who has the ability to influence here sister either positively or negatively, we have the same ability. So as I watch my daughter influence my other daughter, I find myself asking these questions...
- Who am I influencing?
- How am I influencing others?
- Am I taking people where I personally have been?
- Am I looking out for other people's best interest?
- Am I living what I'm teaching?
- Is my life speaking louder than the words that I use?
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