It must be quite an amazing feeling to have 60,000 people singing the words to a song you wrote in unison with you. Just think, all those voices under your control. Is that the kind of influence you are looking for?

I have thought about influence on Steem in many ways over the years, and while I don't really want to lead anyone, I do know that my own voice has had impacts on some people's behavior. I have wondered if I had stayed silent, would people be better off? It is impossible to actually answer because, I have no idea who or how I have influenced those I have affected.

While the blockchain records all of the transactions we make upon it, what it doesn't do is record the interactions of the mind and body that are reactions to what we have encountered upon the blockchain. Even the affected don't know what led them to say this, do that or feel this way.

What I do think though is that often, people take their cues from what they surround themselves with and if surrounded by negativity, the chances the mind moves to meet the mean is high. It is difficult to be happy in a sea of sorrow. This then also influences on us in other ways, whether it be what we might consider attractive in others or, which investment is considered worthy.

What has been your greatest influence to get you to where you are?

Some might answer their parent, or someone else they consider in high regard and want to look up to or be similar to in some way, but that is likely an unknown lie. The greatest influences on our lives probably pass by largely unknowingly as they influence us without our attention being paid to them.

It is because of this that I try to keep my environment free of junk mail and advertising as, I don't plan on settling for myself as a consumer class player - I want to own my experience. We are what we eat and if we consume junk, we think junk and our actions turn to junk.

Regardless of who you are, we are most likely all influenced heavily by our surroundings and, who we interact with, what we read, the ideas we believe. We will attempt to protect ourselves from being wrong by believing those who support our position and, this is the internet, there are always people who can be found.

Thought circlejerking.

Groups of people who form an echochamber that wind each other up to create an environment that feels justified, that legitimizes the thoughts and fears and provides a type of negative camaraderie. Rather than cooperate to build, the cooperation is formed to tear down, to attack, to harm. It is a type of toxicity that tries to influence others to join and ridicule those who do not while using the energy to further dig members into the attitude.

Attitude.

Just think - with all of the experiences of your life and all the people and events you believe have had an affect on your outcomes - did you answer "my own attitude" to the question up above?

You may not have 60,000 people chanting your name, singing your songs or listening to what you have to say - but your experience and whether you accept the movement of the world or attempt to be a barrier against it is your responsibility.

Attitude could be your greatest help, or your greatest harm. Can you influence your own attitude, or haven't you that level of control over yourself?

But you want to control others?

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]