A group of high school students were being accepted into an honor society, and a professor at a nearby university was asked to make a few comments to the candidates. I was a proud parent in the audience, but I braced myself for well-meaning but instructive words of congratulations. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This was probably one of the most unexpectedly profound lectures I have ever heard.
He told the story of growing up in the rural areas of the state. Neither of his parents finished high school, and he had little encouragement to do well in school. But one of his high school teachers took an interest in him and praised some of his assignments, which over time inspired him to improve his grades and value learning.
And now, more than 20 years later, he stands in front of these high-achieving children, giving them advice.
What can he share with them that will stick with them and change their lives?
He emphasized the following points:
As much as the teacher had influenced his life, he never followed up to thank him for what he had done. In fact, he wasn’t sure if he could even remember the teacher’s name. Despite what he knew, the teacher was already dead.
And yet he was standing in front of these kids and he was completely changed by what this man had done.
What to make of this fact?
The message was that they should look for those who helped them to express gratitude?
Yes, it will be a a good thing. Undoubtedly.
But that was not his main point. What he hoped these children would think was that they would also influence those around them.
He encouraged them to live their lives with this front and center.
Do so even if your influence is not recognized. Another twist is that they may be unaware of the reality and nature of their influence. Did his mentor ever know the consequences of his actions? Most likely, not at all.
It’s just the way of the world.
But know this, he told these children. Know that whether you know it or not, you influence the people around you.
So try to be the best influence you can have on people throughout your life, even if you know that these influences will rarely be appreciated.
And with that he took his place.
