In research for this blog I called a good friend who works at Johns Hopkins and he informed that there is currently no known "stubborn gene." (I actually did very little research and made up this friend, but someday I think it would be cool to be able to do that.) We do, however, pick things up from those around us who are influential. It could be a parent, friend, coworker, neighbor, friend, or child.
It's true! If you spend a significant amount of time with anyone, whether a positive or negative influence, eventually you will probably start picking up phrases and in some situations even habits from them.
For example, after becoming a youth pastor I found myself saying things like: "Check out this sweet action." ... I know, right? Now in a youth pastor/ youth group situation who is the primary influencer? Hopefully the pastor... but the influence does not just happen one way. Both parties influence each other - it might not be planned, but it happens.
This week I want you to pay attention to influence. First pay attention to who is watching you - who is learning from your actions and attitudes, and seeing how you respond to different good and bad situations. And then pay attention to your influencers. What are you doing because you were told "this is the thing to do?" (Side note - I'm very ok with Oprah retiring.) Whose influence is reflected in the words you say, and the attitude that you have? Sometimes people that we haven't seen in years are still a driving force in our behavior - it may be time to kill that influence. Pay attention because, like in the futuristic novel 1984, we are all being watched. Well, not at all like that but... You get it. You get it.
