Influence

Speaking of influence, I never believed people of the same age group around me have the ability to influence me. Because I always know I have a strong character inside. When I say influence I'm not saying what kinda food for lunch, what I'm saying is a change of core values and perspectives.
But, I was dead wrong.
It's not that they can't influence me, its that I'm not opening up myself TO BE INFLUENCED.
I always believe in this: if a person is not receptive (open to be influenced), there is not point providing (trying to influence).
Well, I have to be honest, I hadn't opened.

But things started to change when my exposure widens up.

I was put into a group of people that are totally different from those that I used to be with.
It's a hard time. Really, really hard. Because I couldn't find my position between the extreme opposites.

I PRAY HARD TO TURN THE SITUATION AROUND. BUT IT DIDN'T.

Thinking back of that now, I'm proud that I never quit. I'm truly thankful. In fact, I was blessed! So blessed!

Because I was put into such a position, I have to stop, really stop, and redefine everything.
Because I was put into such a position, I was able to observe the extreme opposites.
Because I was put into such a position, I started to think bigger questions.
Because I was put into such a position, I started to receive answers to all of my questions.

Those answers contributed to building a character.

I'm grateful. For at the point when I most needed answers to my questions, I met a wise man. A man who really knows how to 'think'. He is a brutal man. who would tear your values apart. And ask you to fix them back yourself. But hey, I needed a sincere and truthful answer.
I learned the fundamentals and I developed my own path.
Sometimes, people think too much, that causes problems.
another time, people don't think, that causes more problems.
A balance between the extremes, is what I seek.
In short, He influenced my "THINKING".

Alright, when I thought I was equipped to face the world......

Another person appeared. This time, this person is somebody who I can easily relate to. He's a friend that I met nearly every day.
At first, my first impression of him is really nothing much. Typical student-with-no-intention-to-study.
Again, I was dead wrong. ( you see the pattern ? More often than not, judgement blinds me to the brighter side of everything.)
Through several sincere conversations, we established rapport. And I started to admire the qualities that he possesses and the vision he upholds. He changed my perspectives from world vision, mindsets, beliefs, to fashion sense.
This guy taught me how to 'LIVE' !
Imagine how great the influence is. It leads to so many new experiences that I could have missed had I not open to be influenced. And that's the beauty of it. You never knew what you will get. But I can assure you, you will surely get something in return.

The idea is, if you see something in somebody that you admire, OPEN YOURSELF UP TO BE INFLUENCED. Don't JUDGE! Just open and see what you can get. You won't lose yourself. This has proven to me as one of the best decisions that I can ever make.
Keep your judgements aside, and simply be receptive.

I was very judgemental before this. That explains why I never opened up. I always try to prove MY PERSPECTIVE.
I understand that there will be a fear inside that sounds like : Hey! if you accepted his influence and change your beliefs. You will no longer be YOU!
But please remember, growth is a gradual process, it's not killing the old one and replacing it with a new one.
So you won't lose the old you.
Rather, you will evolve and be a greater you!
Sometimes, the willingness to take the leap, or not makes a whole world of a difference.

Give yourself a chance to experience the world in a way that you never did.
Trust me, there will be a whole army of fear trying to pull you back to your comfort zone when that opportunity presents itself to you.
But if you can push pass those fears and simply take the leap.
You will get to see a completely new world that you will never want to return to the old one!

Happy living!
Much love.