Perpetuation

If only we were all aware how much we influence those around us.

The simplest interaction with an infant reveals the most basic thesis I can form regarding human interaction: We affect one another. This morning when Athena (at work) woke up from a nap, I looked down at her in her crib and I smiled and put on that cheesy little voice I use when I talk to babies... and I asked her all sorts of questions, all of which she was too young to understand, "How are you? Did you have a good nap? Are you going to smile? Yeah, you have a beautiful smile don't you? Do you have a monkey on your shirt today? Are you a little monkey too? Do you have anything to say to me? (etc etc etc.)" That little babe was just beaming; her whole face lit up when I smiled at her and gave her the attention she was seeking.

And adults, though incredibly 'mature' and 'advanced' in social interaction, aren't so much different. In general, we are all more easily influenced by the words and moods and ways of the people around us than we would like to admit. Dwelling inside a mind of constant anxiety, I will readily vouch how much of a difference it makes when someone breaks in at any given time to calm my mind, to focus me on something positive that they have to say.
And, to my detriment, the opposite can quite easily occur as well. I could be having a sing-song swimmingly great day (like today). . . and sometimes all it takes to stop the singing and swimming is when someone's negative disposition (usually someone close to me, someone I care about) encroaches on my, up-til-then, glowing-great day. The smallest maneuver that provides me an insecurity or concern about myself could very well be the thing that perpetuates a whole stream of negative, anxious, and seemingly uncontrollable thoughts. Perpetuation. Influence. The power we hold in our hands.

It irritates me when people don't realize the weight and consequence of their choices towards others; I don't like to be the victim of someone else's bad mood. I want to be more responsible, too, for what I am perpetuating in this world. There is a whole lot of negative, a whole lot of ugly, and a whole lot of disrespect rolling around out there... and that's exactly where I want to break in... regardless of whether it takes talking about monkeys on shirts, beautiful smiles, incredible talents, or rare qualities. I want to be a voice that speaks on those things... and perpetuates them beyond belief. Because regardless of all the big, scary questions I have about the purpose of life or the reason for our existence, these little things do matter.