Your life may not make a national impact but who knows how far your life might reach? The people, friends, and family you influence today may have a tremendous impact on many others. You never know what an acquaintance or child might grow up to do or become because of you. The difference you are making now could become the integral key that helps someone to achieve their full potential in life. 

We are never certain what exactly and totally influences someone to live a life of evil, destruction and terrorism. What source of inspiration drives someone to hate others to the point that they act out in a violent way to wound and kill? We all have various opinions but anything that influences people that negatively is bad.

While none of us have the ability to save the world, we can pay attention to the world around us. Who are those we see routinely in our lives? They are our opportunity to influence, love and mentor in any way that we can.

Some people are difficult to mentor or teach. Old dogs often have trouble learning new tricks. This is one reason we can’t neglect any opportunity we have to positively impact children and young adults who can still be molded and directed. 

When I was a kid, I had family, teachers, coaches and ministers who were influential. I also had James E. Webb. James is a first cousin, raised by my grandparents, who lived right across the road from me. He taught me how to play a mandolin a little. He taught me and another first cousin how to play the guitar some. James is a whiz bluegrass banjo picker who inspired us musically and helped us along the way. He spent time with us. He taught us guitar chords and how to put them together to make songs. 

James was Mr. Webb when he became one of my seventh and eighth grade teachers. He was a wonderful teacher and made history especially interesting. He was also our eighth grade basketball coach. The main thing Mr. Webb did for us as a team was to get us into good physical condition. Many days our practice began with us running 45 minutes and sometimes an hour before we would pick up a basketball. We were skinny and we could run. About this same time, I didn’t have a basketball goal to practice on. Mr. Webb built one and put it up in his backyard so I would have a place to practice. 

Mr. Webb influenced his entire county as a school principal and musician. He made banjos and other quality handcrafted instruments that are scattered out and around Appalachia. 

There are a lot of other things James or Mr. Webb has done along the way. We have had a lot of talks about life. He is a good story teller. All of this was 50 years ago, or more. Even today, those little things seem like big things and they were. 

Don’t underestimate your influence and how you can mentor others every day. 

— Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. He may be emailed at gmollette@aol.com.