I teach yoga and as my own body has presented its challenges with aging and health issues I have had to come to terms with that. I hope I have influenced my students to believe in their bodies. To recognize that we are not always the way we would like ourselves to be nor imagined what we were going to become.
In the end we only have each moment and I hope i have influenced some of those around me to truly understand this way of being.
Art Garfubkel's advice for a certain person in Yesterday's NYT on turning 80: "The impulse to move quickly is strong, but depth requires stillness. Seek out voices that challenge your thinking. Read widely. Listen carefully. Choose words with care. Let them carry clarity, restraint and a sense of shared humanity."
Enjoyed your article, Robyn. During my teaching career, I often used Henry Adam's quote to keep me going: "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." We can only hope as we work hard to meet some universal drive in us, we make the world a better place. xoxo
Like you, I have come to distrust the whole "influence" industry. Tell me somebody is an influencer, and I'm likely to roll my eyes. It so often seems to have taken the place of advice from people who have deep knowledge about a subject, sometimes known as experts. Your post has made me think about why we do what we do, whether it's writing or anything else. Is it for ourselves (yes) or to influence others (probably that, too) or just to let the world know we're still here and still trying to make sense of it all. Thanks for giving me some great food for thought to start the day.
I teach yoga and as my own body has presented its challenges with aging and health issues I have had to come to terms with that. I hope I have influenced my students to believe in their bodies. To recognize that we are not always the way we would like ourselves to be nor imagined what we were going to become.
In the end we only have each moment and I hope i have influenced some of those around me to truly understand this way of being.
Art Garfubkel's advice for a certain person in Yesterday's NYT on turning 80: "The impulse to move quickly is strong, but depth requires stillness. Seek out voices that challenge your thinking. Read widely. Listen carefully. Choose words with care. Let them carry clarity, restraint and a sense of shared humanity."
I love that Steve. We need voices that challenge our thinking. Otherwise our writing will be bland. And there’s enough of that out there.
Enjoyed your article, Robyn. During my teaching career, I often used Henry Adam's quote to keep me going: "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." We can only hope as we work hard to meet some universal drive in us, we make the world a better place. xoxo
Teachers are truly the quiet influencers of our world. My sister was a teacher. You are all very special people.
Like you, I have come to distrust the whole "influence" industry. Tell me somebody is an influencer, and I'm likely to roll my eyes. It so often seems to have taken the place of advice from people who have deep knowledge about a subject, sometimes known as experts. Your post has made me think about why we do what we do, whether it's writing or anything else. Is it for ourselves (yes) or to influence others (probably that, too) or just to let the world know we're still here and still trying to make sense of it all. Thanks for giving me some great food for thought to start the day.
Love that-let the world know we are still here and making sense of it. Thanks for your thoughts Cindy.
Beautifully written, Robyn.
I follow Train with Joan on Instagram. I believe that she started by influencing herself...and of course, it snowballed.
I love that you have chosen to influence yourself. Who knows how your sphere of influence may grow!
Writing keeps me honest Heather. I am so enjoying your hiking pics.