There is something satisfying about knowing you're leading by example.
Not that I'm a leader or that I know that I'm a role model to someone. However, there is someone who I think I am an influence on: my youngest sister. I am the oldest of three and while I am 20, my sister will turn only 14 next month. It's not like my sister outright told me that she follows me. It is more in the things she does, perhaps even things she doesn't even realize she does. It's so similar to the way I express myself about my family on paper but not necessarily to their face.
Earlier today I saw one of my memories on Facebook. It was a status where I stated that I was showing my sister (the youngest) the world of anime because I knew she would enjoy it. Because we have similar tastes, and I absolutely love Ouran High School Host Club, I showed it to her. We saw it through Netflix, in Japanese and with English subtitles. After about three episodes I asked her if she knew what was going on and she said no. Thinking that it might be her lack of familiarity with reading and watching what's on the TV simultaneously, I told her she could change the language to English. At this, she replied with "Oh thank God because the subtitles were going by too fast and I couldn't read them." I laughed at this and remembered that I was in her position at some point. In the end, she really enjoys anime.
Seeing that memory reminded me of so many other things but only one thought stayed in my mind. I thought of how both my sisters are able to broaden their horizons because I am there to show it to them. I thought of how I didn't have anyone to to that for me. Everything that I love, rock, k-pop, anime, manga, comic books, even things such as reading and writing came from someone else.
My mother didn't know any of these things existed. Up until middle school, I didn't even know that there was music in the English language and oddly, the thought had never occurred to me. I learned through school and by interacting with other students. K-pop I didn't get to know until my sophomore year of high school. It's just ironic to feel that by sharing such a little thing as my love for anime could turn into something much bigger. Even crazier it is to know that I now am that one thing someone else was. If anything, I'm glad it's for my sisters.
Moral of the story: don't hestitate to share what you love, you never know whose life it might change. While it might not be direct leadership, know that it started with you.
