We are all currently Under the Influence of something…whatever that something may be. It may not be in the traditional sense of alcohol or drugs; however, your day-to-day habits and routines are being shaped by something. Consider reflecting on that concept for a moment, asking yourself what is influencing my thoughts, right now? My ego hopes that perhaps it’s the words you are reading at the present time, nevertheless, I understand that there are much greater things happening in your life, influencing your thoughts, than this meager blog, but I propose there are benefits to be found in slowing down to consider what is speaking into our hearts and minds.
According to a search of the files on my computer, I’ve read a good amount on this idea of influence, likely due to the relationship between the fact that to Flourish at Life, we need a solid grasp on what is driving our habits and behaviors. In Quiet Influence, we are asked to consider how introverts can influence others in a very extroverted world. In Real Influence, the authors share how important genuine listening is to business relationships. In Communication IQ, Fred and Anna Kendall provide information on communication intelligence. But it was The Nature Fix that had me pondering Outdoor Nutrition and how being Under the Influence of nature impacts our health.
What Williams, the naturalist John Muir, and philosopher Edmund Burke, all had correct is that “feelings of spirituality don’t just spring from religion: they also spring from transcendent experiences in nature…According to Burke, for something to be truly awe-inspiring, it must possess ‘vastness of extent’ as well as a degree of difficulty in our ability to make sense of it…A deeply powerful, awe-inspiring experience can change someone’s perspective for a long time, even permanently.” My aim here is not to focus on a secular transcendence with nature, but that the sense of awe we experience when our eyes scan across the Canadian Rockies or we listen to the push and pull of the ocean’s tide, will draw us to their Creator. It is His plan that we cultivate nature, nurture it, and enjoy it. For it is no coincidence that what He created, what He desires we be Under the Influence of, brings healing to our souls, especially when it occurs in Unwired Places.
In addition to being Under the Influence of both God’s purpose and Creation, living in our God-Given Space, what if we include another influencer? Heather Creekmore asks us to consider that as we age, we are promoted to a role of influence, we are encouraged to mentor. Who are you currently investing in and influencing? “Influencer may be one of the most overused and underdefined words in our culture today. To be an influencer—according to these standards—you need gorgeous photographs on Instagram…But to truly influence someone’s life—to make a difference—requires more than just showing them an image of what they could be. Image shouts, Look at me. Influence shouts, I see you, and I’m here to help.”
Creekmore continues her encouragement of “grandma status” when she shares a passage of Scripture from Titus 2:3-5 where women (and men) are inspired to guide others through influence, instruction and infusion. “Instruction is the way we teach and show other women how to navigate young life…When we instruct, we have a voice that speaks into the lives of others…But we also carry out the Titus 2 tasks through infusion…the way our lives infuse the lives of the women who follow us is multilayered. We may have even greater influence by what we model for others than what we teach…Modeling is what makes us believable. Our showing can have greater impact than our telling.”
Now, what if time invested between mentor and mentee was spent in Unwired Places, cultivating Outdoor Nutrition, while on a Godly Adventure? That’s a winning formula for creating Relational Equity in my mind! What are your thoughts on being Under the Influence?
References:
Creekmore, H. (2024). Aging gratefully: A 30-day devotional for women. Our Daily Bread Publishing.
Goulston, M. & Ullmen, J. (2013). Real influence: Without pushing and gain without giving in. AMACOM.
Kendall, F. & Kendall, A. (2019). Communication IQ: A proven way to influence, lead, and motivate people (Life languages). Whitaker House.
Flourishing @ Life 