As humans we tend to absorb influences from many different sources; Friends, family and media, what we see, read and hear and from all corners of the globe. In the modern world there's so many sources of influence some very positive and some extremely negative.
Those of us in the know are more likely to consider a source of influence, and the information itself, carefully prior to taking it on board and in fact some information may even influence us away from the source. The fake news [propaganda] most of the "news broadcasters" bombard us with is a great example. I hardly listen to a word of it and of the little I listen to I believe even less; They have influenced me to think they are all puppets on strings promoting corporation and government shit. However there's always people [sheeple] out there willing to scoop up the shit and consume it as if it were the finest tasting food available. Have at it sheeple, it's not my gig though.
I spoke to a great buddy of mine last night; He's about to deploy with his unit to somewhere he cannot mention and called me to say goodbye and also asked that I keep in touch with his family. He lives interstate and so we don't see each other that much however we speak a lot, about a lot of stuff. He is super-intelligent and I always gain great insight into many different concepts that I take away and integrate into my life. He is what I would call a positive influencer, one of my influencers and a very valuable friend. I'll miss him for the next 6-9 months.
After we spoke he sent me a text message. His ethos I guess you'd call it, one of them anyway. He didn't write the words, just borrowed them. I have written it out for you below and have left it intact except for one part. The one that says live hard actually said fuck hard and I changed it in the advent of someone wanting to save the image. I didn't respond to the message. It needed no response. It was just a reminder for me and one which he gives me every so often, mostly right before he deploys. Maybe this is his one vice...He loves these meme things. LOVES them!
I thought I'd share it with you because, well I guess because I can. You see, having positive influencers around me has been one of the greatest opportunities in my life. It allows me to see through another's eyes, to live and learn vicariously through them and to take that influence and integrate it, or not, into my life as I deem fit and proper.
Positive influencers are not always the people you expect them to be; They can come from unexpected sources and sometimes the influence they impart is unexpected also. My mate believes in the words he sent me above, he lives them. He is a passionate man, difficult to get close to by nature and one of the most loving husbands I have ever met. He is gentle and yet also brutally capable of extreme violence. He dotes on his daughter and is honest to a fault. I am proud to call him friend and of his service to our country. I am grateful to have an influencer like him to draw inspiration from and for the brutal honesty he always gives me.
Who influences you. That's a question I think everyone needs to ask and answer about themselves in this crazy world we live in. Influence can have such a dramatic affect upon our lives and I'm confident it shouldn't be left to chance. It's better to control it, to shape it the way you want it and gain the benefit that comes from it. Or I guess you could shovel the media's shit into your mouth. It's a choice I guess.