On Being a Woman of Influence

Last weekend I had the great privilege of speaking to a group of women on the topic of being a positive influence in society. We all impact society each moment of our lives. The question is whether our ripple in the stream will provide a positive or negative current in our homes and for our culture. As I reflected on this subject I thought back to the women over the years who have influenced my life personally. To my surprise, I realized that there were some unexpected sources of inspiration for me. Until I took the time to look back, I really hadn't noticed that there were many women who had left a lasting impression on me after a simple "chance" meeting. What we humans call "chance" is in reality the work of divine providence in our lives! One of the keys to not missing the importance of these transient faces (and moments) is to understand that we, ourselves, are one of those faces along the way for others. With this knowlege, we can be more deliberate in our words and actions and also appreciate the unique and unrepeatable encounters we have with eachother everyday!


I remember a story I once heard of a little girl who said to her mother, "Mama, can I go with you to your meeting today? You are always so nice and cheerful to those people." You can imagine the mothers dismay at the painful truth her little one had just expressed in her innocence. This little nugget was a treasure for the mother, if she chose to see it that way. Her mother suddenly understood that she was teaching her daughter the very opposite of what she was hoping to instill in her. What she wanted her daughter to learn was that we are part of a greater community than simply our family. That it is important to make the time to help those less fortunate and live with a sense of civic responsiblity. It seemed that it had all been lost in the translation. She felt confused and discouraged!


As she began to mull over this fleeting comment she was struck by the irony. She knew deep inside that this unexpected moment was painful and powerful yet, it came out of the mouth of her babe! It was one of those times which offered the possibility of positive change. This woman had an epiphany of sorts! Her lack of kindness and felicity around the house, especially on the days of her meetings, was defeating a fundamental lesson. She recognized that the prerequisite to a strong and healthy society is a loving and caring environment at home, in the family. Just like the ripple in a stream, the first current begins closest to the stone and then moves out systematically from there. It doesn't work any other way. She had to be careful, though, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater! Working together with others in her community to help raise the tone of the culture and lift the heavy burdens of those suffering is essential, but society will only be as strong as its weakest links. She had to be prudent and thoughtfully choose how she would spend the precious moments of her time and energy. She knew she must be wise enough to give those closest to her the very best of herself, first and foremost. The simple honesty of her daughter was a transforming influence. Life is so incredible! It is filled with lessons and meaning; if we are open to them.



The best insurance policy for the future of our family, our country and our world is taking care of those closest to us principally. If we take the time to evaluate our decisions and make adjustments, there will be time to assist those outside of our family. It does not have to be an either/or situation. If we are having difficulty maintaining a peaceful existence with our loved ones at home, then we might need to stand back a bit and and courageously ask ourselves "are my priorities straight"? It is not unusual to be off the mark, it happens to everyone. The real problem isn't messing up, but whether we take the time and employ the fortitude needed to make changes in our attitudes, words and behaviors. Then, despite our inevitable mistakes, we will undoubtedly be women who positively contribute to the lives of others!