Why Are You The Way You Are Today? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why Are You The Way You Are Today?

Loved ones are crucial to shaping who we are.

14
Why Are You The Way You Are Today?
Dave Snyder

Have you ever noticed what happens to yourself when you’re getting to know someone new or making a new friend?

First you start finding things in common and realize the things that make you each unique. Then, once you know each other, you start enjoying each other’s company and making more plans before you know it. Eventually, you start hanging out so much that they become one of your best friends even if you haven’t known them for very long. Soon enough, your once unique habits may start rubbing off on one another without either one of you realizing it.

People you care about inadvertently leave an indelible mark on your life and we need to acknowledge it. Sure, people pride themselves on having their own personal style, attitude, or way of doing things, but even so, the people closest to us help shape us into our unique selves.

Growing up, my dad always had a calm parenting style. He would never yell, never show his frustration, unless he saw it necessary. The only time he would really lose his temper was if my brothers or I would disrespect my mother or him by talking back or if we continuously weren’t doing what we needed to be doing to help out around the house. His calm temperament and patience when asking us to do something or giving us instructions spoke volumes to me.

Recently, I worked with an older gentleman that loved to chat when business at the hotel we worked at was slow. Many other coworkers would dread his lengthy conversations and would try to avoid them as they found them to be dull or a waste of time. However, from the minute I met him, I would welcome his conversation even on busier nights. I never particularly liked or disliked our conversations -- they were just an occurrence that I had grown to expect at work. I engaged in his conversation until he decided he would go back to work.

I never thought anything of it and never realized other people tried to avoid him until another coworker said something to me about it.

“You’d have to have an abundance of patience to listen to him ramble on as often as you do,” she said.

I never really noticed my ability to be patient until my coworker had said this to me. I have now further realized that this ability is most likely due to my dad’s patience with others growing up. It’s a similarity that has gone unnoticed to me for so long.

I’ve also recently come to notice other similarities in myself with other family members and friends.

In the midst of our busy lives, we may forget how precious our loved ones are to us. They are not only there to support us, but they are the ones who have and are still shaping us into who we are. Their actions are contagious to us.

In turn, you also have the power to affect loved ones in the way you act as well. Be aware, even in the smallest way, you are influencing others every day of your life whether it’s in a positive or negative way.

So how will you choose to impact others?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

129225
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

29401
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27210
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments