I often look around and wonder how we can all be attending the same school, participating in the same activities, and playing the same sports, but somehow, we all have turned out to be quite different from each other.
Within my life, I believe the way I was raised, the church and youth group I attend, and my friends have shaped me into becoming the person I am. I was never explicitly told as a kid, “respect your elders,” or “you have to be nice.” The way I learned the lessons and morals I hold close to me is through observing others and how they have played a positive role in my life. The influence these various groups of people have on me has helped me learn what I do and do not want to do with my life, and as a result, how I treat others.
I have also seen the power of influence affect my peers around me in school. The friends you surround yourself with play a role in how you act, treat others, and perform academically. If people tend to surround themselves with individuals who value their academics and grades, they are more likely to put forth their best effort in that category, too. In contrast, if one chooses to surround oneself with people who don’t care about school, that is most likely going to rub off on them.
The people we choose to surround ourselves with, as well as the activities and groups we participate in, shape us into the person we become. Although we may not always realize it, everything and everyone we interact with slowly helps shape us into being our own individual. Our life is like a quilt continuously being stitched and added to.