The power of influence and example

Favorites

Discussion

August 22, 2008

By Curtis Coleman for The News Courier The News Courier Fri Aug 22, 2008, 11:29 AM CDT

The power of influence and example in every human being cannot be overestimated. So many sayings of past and present noteworthy persons underscore this conclusion.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, “Example is not the main thing in life — it is the only thing.”

Example is more powerful than argument. Observing the power of influence, Pascal said, “The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.”

Joseph Norris in his poem entitled, “Influence” captured this truth so well:

Drop a pebble in the water,

And its ripples reach out far;

And the sunbeams dancing on them

May reflect them to a star.

Give a smile to someone passing,

Thereby making his morning glad;

It may greet you in the evening

When your own heart may be sad.

Do a deed of simple kindness;

Though its end you may not see,

It may reach, like widening ripples,

Down a long eternity.

Too easily we can yield to the temptation to think that one’s personal influence and example count for little.

So much of our influence is unconscious in its effects for good or evil on others. A young woman set out a rare vine at the base of a stone wall.

It grew vigorously but did not blossom. Day after day she cultivated and watered it and tried in every way to coax it to bloom. One morning her neighbor called to her and said, “You cannot imagine how I have been enjoying the blooms on that vine you planted.” She thought that her plant was a failure when all the time it was proving to be a blessing to one who really needed it. The neighbor was enriched and blessed in every way because of the one who had planted the vine. How important it is that we seek to create the right kind of influence through the way we live, work, worship, and play.

Only by making our lives more Christlike can we be sure our influence and example will be a source of help and not hindrance to others who look to us. Remember the power of our influence and example can be devastating or transforming.

Dr. Curtis Coleman is emeritus dean and professor of religion and philosophy at Athens State University.

Text Only

Favorites

Helping Hands 12-19 Carol began her work with the church in 1992 as a part-time secretary and began working full time when her three children were out of school. She is now the church secretary and treasurer.
December 20, 2008
Helping Hands 12-12 Linda Bridwell heads up a new ministry that reaches out to caregivers who support those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the church conference room.
December 13, 2008
The power of influence and example
August 22, 2008
Stop and smell the roses
August 22, 2008
The olympic athletes challenge us
August 22, 2008
We are so blessed
August 22, 2008
Could cat whisperer help psycho-kitty?
August 14, 2008
Who can blame Nanny for hoofing it?
August 14, 2008
A girls’ guide to safe thong-wearing
July 28, 2008
GIRL studies Big-Texas-Cinnamon-Roll Incident
July 28, 2008
More Favorites Headlines

Favorites

Search Results

Discussion

The power of influence and example

What is the most important issue state legislators will tackle this session?

Site Map

Contact Us