Influence
Who is my greatest influence?
Some may think this is a simple question, but in reality, the answer runs much deeper. That’s because we are constantly evolving, changing with each passing day.
The answer isn’t set in stone; it can shift in an instant. Someone new enters your life unexpectedly, and suddenly, you see the world through a different lens. They teach you something, perhaps as simple as riding a bike or conquering a fear. But sometimes, they teach you something even greater: that it’s okay to let someone in. To trust them with your highs and lows, your successes and failures. To allow them to be your foundation, to help you start over.
You may think you know the answer, but then one day, you realize that the greatest influence in your life may not be a person at all….but a series of experiences, lessons, and moments. People come and go. They may be by your side one night and gone the next morning. But only a few truly leave a lasting impact.
So how can I choose just one person? Is it my mom, who has always stood by me, never doubting me, always lifting me up? The one who sacrificed her own life to ensure I became the person I am today? Or is it my dad, who wakes up every morning to provide me with the life I have now? The one who taught me discipline, resilience, and how to never let others define my worth?
Ultimately, it’s not just about who influenced me, it’s about what they taught me. Lessons of discipline, loyalty, perseverance. But if I had to choose, my answer is clear: my greatest influence is my mom. No one has shaped me the way she has.
She taught me that one bad game or one failed test doesn’t define who I am. What truly matters is what I do with my next chance. She has given me everything, and I wouldn’t be the person I am without her.
She was there for me when I needed her most. She drove me to soccer practice, doctor’s appointments, and anywhere else I needed to be. But most importantly, she stood by me when I felt like my world was falling apart.
When I was eight, I broke my ankle. In that moment, it felt like everything had crumbled. I couldn’t play soccer, couldn’t run around with my friends. Eighteen months later, I finally returned; only to break my tibia just three weeks back into playing. Once again, I was sidelined. But through it all, she never left my side. She took me to physical therapy, to doctor’s visits, and celebrated with me when I walked for the first time in four months. She watched me take my first steps back onto the soccer field, encouraging me every step of the way.
She was there. When no one else was. So, a simple, one-word answer to this question means more to me than anything else in the world.
My greatest influence? My mom.