I was watching a documentary some time ago where guys were asked who they turned to when they were down, and one of them replied Do you guys turn to someone? Funny enough it was the question I asked myself when the question was raised in that documentary, as the majority of guys answered no one, as in there's no one to turn to when they are down. So with no further ado, I will be answering the question in line with the hive learners contest prompt for week 73 episode 3...
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WHO ARE MY CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE?
Now understanding that my circle of influence in this case refers to those who have been actively instrumental in making me the person I am today, I will like to start by saying I have developed in different areas of life through different people and situations, most of which where unpleasant situations, but I'm grateful for the few Who were with me and are still with me now. I must confess, the journey hasn't been an easy one, it's been huddling upon hurdles, but I've been waxing stronger and becoming wiser by the day.
My general circle is so few that the only people In it are my family who support me from afar, especially my mum who I can always bet prays for me daily and advises me at any given chance. But then I don't think I'm the only one whose parents don't fully understand the technicality of my life and thus can only be there for me and wish me success in my endeavors. Apart from my family, I've had a few spiritual mentors who had been actively instrumental in my growth at different points in my life.
My list of spiritual mentors started with my roommate during my first year in school. I've often talked about him (Marvelous) and how much he influenced my life. He was someone I learned the difference between religious activities and service to God. After him, I dropped out of school and started becoming a spiritual mentor to others馃槀. Okay, joke aside, a few years after I left school (dropped out) I met Sir Success, as I often called him. He was there for me in my trying times, especially those times It was clear there was no one around me, he was there, but not for long.
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I met both of these guys between the ages of 17 - 20. So they kinda summed up my teenage life and built me up spiritually. After about two years, I met Victor (I've also talked about him a lot) Victor helped me both spiritually and physically as a friend. He was a friend in times of need at certain points in my life, and I'm indeed grateful for the few months we were together. After him I've had to walk alone, as I did in other aspects of my life which includes; my business and financial life, my educational life, and any other aspect one can imagine.
In different aspects of life, I've learned to grow on my own, which means I've made a lot of mistakes and learned the hard way, that's why I try to ensure anyone I get the opportunity of impacting their lives, I firstly make sure that they don't make the mistakes I have made. I might not be as successful enough to guide them on a formula that works, but from my experience trying out on my own I'm sure of ways that will never work, and I try to make them understand it.
Finally, in the last few months, I've grown in years... I don't know another word to describe this growth but I will try to explain it as much as I can. I've had the privilege of meeting someone who contributed to this level of growth. I have heard people say they grew 10 years in one year, and I often wondered how this was possible until I met this person who connected every aspect of my life me the inspiration I needed to push through. Now when I talk about growth here, understand that I have been able to easily phase through the challenges that came my way, even in times when I had no clue as to how I will overcome them. I've become more positive-minded and intentional about what I want out of life with no fear of failing but understanding failure is a necessity for success. This wasn't an easy pill to swallow, but I've swallowed it, and I've been working with it.