The Influence of Others

 

In an individual’s life, one is faced with situations in which other people’s values and opinions influence them. The excerpt, ‘Beat the Odds’, National Football League player, Michael Oher, demonstrates a man who realizes the impact of an individual throughout his childhood. Sometimes, individuals need the idea of motivation, acceptance, viewpoint, and advice from others to push them to pursue their aspirations or the idea of determination for themselves. It is the action of others to drive them. In the film, ‘A River Runs through It’ directed by Robert Redford, we become familiar with Norman Maclean, who is a man struggling to ideally please his father with the decisions he has made throughout his life. The idea of receiving acceptance from others to fulfill your satisfaction, impacts your decisions negatively and positively.

Throughout your life, there is always an individual you are either trying to please, get approval of, or just someone who just motivates you. Since middle school, I have always appreciated my grade eight teacher. That year, I had just moved schools and I was known as the ‘new kid’. The whole class was very kind and welcoming. I fit in right away. But when I first met her, first period, math class, I say she was the most welcoming. The very first things she ever said to me was “Please do not worry about what others have to say in this class, if you are ever struggling or not, do not be ashamed.” She was very laid- back. You can get that vibe when you first meet her. I really did not get what she meant by that at first, but throughout the school year I started to realize. She used to make few mistakes while teaching us a math lesson or while trying to explain what the cytoplasm, whatever it is, obviously, quite of few individuals used to judge her for that. All she was say is “Don’t worry guys, I am only human.” From those words, I knew she did not let other people influence her, whether it be a mistake or a decision, she always pursued whatever she wanted to be in life. Now, I am an active student, instead of a quiet one, doing whatever I can to pursue my dreams after high school by not letting other individuals to impact those aspirations. She allowed me to realize that with her own values and opinions.

‘Beat the Odds’ is an excerpt about a man who pursue his dream of becoming an athlete through the influence of his grade four teacher. Michael Oher, who is now a National Football player found himself fond of sports throughout his childhood. As Michael was growing up, he became aware of how Ms. Logan became such a big part of his life, how much her encouragement and her words influenced him as he grew up. Ms. Logan made Micheal realize his love for sports and his ability to play by valuing his ability to play during recess or gym, by letting him know what he could achieve in the future. As he is now a grown man with a astonishing career, Michael still reminisces that encouragement and determination he received from her helped shape him as an individual.

In the film, A River Runs Through It , we are introduced to Norman Maclean, who is influenced throughout his life by his father, Reverend Maclean, the church minister. While growing up, Norman always valued of pleasing and receiving approval from his father. This is evident when Norman and his younger Paul, discuss what they what to be when they grow up, right away Norman replies with ‘minister’. This demonstrates that Norman assumed that he needs to become whatever his father approves and values, religion and church. As Norman gets older, he goes to college and receives a degree in education, which is approved by his father, but has the desire of working in the forestry business. As evident in the film, he compromises his dream, and applies for teaching positions. This resulted with an individual being impacted long-term due to the value and influence of another individual, the encouragement and inspiration which developed to impact the future of the individual.

Any individual can influence one to do anything, from encouraging them to play ball at recess to what career is acceptable, whatever it may be. The action of others to recognize the talents, abilities, qualifications we may have, drive us to become and shape into the specific individual that they influence us to be.