In the comics today, Blondie’s daughter and her boyfriend talk about being “influencers”. By way of explanation, she wants to “influence” other people to “make her an influencer”. I’ve recently been curious about the growing careers of online “influencers”, particularly by young people. I’m not sure really what they do, except to post their views, their tastes, and their perspectives on a social media platform and see who responds. And apparently, millions do. A few years back, during the college acceptance bribery scandal, an actress’s daughter, admitted to a California university on a sports scholarship for a sport in which she didn’t participate, the daughter, interestingly, posted that she really didn’t need the scholarship because she already had a career as an “influencer”. And at age 19 at the time, she would bring a rich variety of life experiences and insights to that. Oh, dear Lord. I should point out to that my blogs and occasional newspaper commentaries don’t qualify me to be an influencer, because I’m not. I am merely an observer, writing about things going on around me. Commenting on oast experiences that have shaped my life, but certainly not blazing a path for others to follow.
In contrast, there was a front-page picture and accompanying article in the paper of a young man standing behind his Eagle Scout project. He had built an impressive bench for a local cemetery, something that will be welcomed and used by visitors for some time to come. I’ve attended a number of Eagle Scout Courts of Honor, recognition ceremonies for a number of young people, and it speaks to me of their services – planning a project and submitting it for approval, seeing something that needs to be repaired and upgraded through neglect, clearing a pathway for the benefit of a community, rebuilding a structure. Community service of some sort. Making improvements to a local sports venue. Or building that beautiful bench. A project that primarily will benefit others. But I’m reasonably sure that this fine young man, providing something truly useful and working with his grandfather to learn new skills, wouldn’t consider himself an “influencer”. Nor did he set out to be one. But, in fact, he is. He’s provided a wonderful example of accomplishment, and in the process, a service to others.
Our local television station concludes the week with a piece called the MVP. It typically involves a high school athlete that goes above and beyond somehow. They are role models off -and-on the field. They are shown mentoring younger players at a rec center or an after-school program. They typically have high academic standards. Most importantly, they are just nice people who work diligently to improve the play of the whole team, and that don’t usually see themselves as outstanding. Their recognition has been reported to the station by their coaches or teammates.
Some folks just naturally inspire us, and we draw that inspiration from their actions, not necessarily from their desire for recognition. If you watch reporter Steve Hartman’s news segments, “On the Road”, those are stories of people doing good things, that influence not just the viewers but those around them too. One that I remember, with a smile, featured a student with emotional challenges, that had a unique talent for recreating bird calls and bird songs. Despite his parents’ misgivings, he entered a school talent show with his remarkable abilities. Not only did his fellow students love his “act”, but he won widespread praise and acceptance. The final scene of the segment showed him on the playground, teaching a circle of admirers how to imitate those bird calls. He is an influencer.
This was a story on the nightly news some months ago: “For the first time in more than 30 years, a Fort Worth community long considered a “health care desert” now has nearby access to basic medical care. The new Las Vegas Trail Neighborhood Health Center is expected to transform the lives of tens of thousands of residents by providing critical health and wellness services within reach.” The news segment profiled the lady whose efforts included a conversation with the CEO of a healthcare network as he emerged from the bathroom. Hearing her description of what was needed in this area without any healthcare facilities, he asked “how he could help”. And thus, this new service center is available to a largely underserved community. We regularly applaud the efforts of healthcare workers and medical professionals, but it isn’t often that we extend that praise to healthcare administrators and business end of healthcare. Another spotlight on the news, in a suburb of Boston some time ago featured a group of men that saw a house falling into disrepair in the neighborhood, and the elderly occupant was in no position to do much. Those men organized work details, gathered materials and gave the house a make-over. It looked great when done, but they didn’t stop there. They sought out other such projects and older people that desperately needed their help. Talk about “influencers.” They were about as influential as you could get. Another newspaper article featured a young man I knew only by sight when he was in high school, although I knew his father well and worked with him. This young man founded a non-profit organization that works with the homeless in a neighboring city. That is the kind of person he is – doing real good where a need exists.
Each day as we pick up a newspaper or turn on the television to catch up on the latest bits and pieces of our communities, our regions, our country, and our globe, we see a mixed bag of the good and the bad. The early going often is deeply unsettling or makes our blood boil. Pictures of starving children in some part of the world, buildings crumbling, floodwaters washing away towns and villages. But sometimes, they’re followed by stories and images that give us hope. Supply trucks entering a war zone with hundreds, thousands of starving people anxiously waiting for them. Doctors tending to the medical needs of innocent people caught in the crossfire. News reporters standing in harm’s way to give us accurate details of what’s happening in the world’s trouble spots. Hundreds of volunteers that have come to a flood zone to help search for survivors and victims. Rescuers plucking people from the ocean, victims of a sinking ship, and getting them to safety. A passer-by pulling someone from a burning automobile. Those are “influencers”.
We have had some truly inspirational leaders and a number that are less so. Some proclaim their own greatness from the mountaintops, while others just go about their business, making this world a better place. In the arts world, there are many “influencers” whose work, be it in music, art, theatre, dance, or film and media, provide inspiration and guidance for future generations. In education, many teachers who instill in their students a thirst for learning are true “influencers”. Healthcare workers who go above and beyond their routines to put their patients at ease. My doctor is one like that. Researchers and innovators developing new medications, products, solutions are “influencers”. One might say that the true influencers are those that see problems and direct their efforts into fixing them. Those that speak quietly and often outside the glare of the spotlight. Those that lead by example. As we approach the Easter season, a time of suffering, yes, but also a time of healing, rebirth, and peace, let’s take a moment to remember those make true and significant contributions, often flying under the radar, not appearing on a social media platform with empty, vacuous, often self-serving “content”. Yes, the true “influencers” probably aren’t the ones that identify themselves as such.
To all of my readers, have a wonderful, joyful, and peaceful Easter!
I'm Thinking...No! 