Throwing in the Towel: Not an Option

 It was 1989, the beginning of my sophomore year of college. I was overwhelmed with so many personal issues that I wanted to quit college and return home. I felt defeated. It was a lonely feeling because I was the first in my family to attend college. My family could not relate to how much pressure I was under at the time. My courses were demanding. I had little money and barely surviving on my part-time job’s minimum wages. The anxieties of balancing college, work, and personal issues nearly crushed my dreams. I was ready to throw in the towel. I could not see how any of it was worth anything. 

Thank goodness I had a very supportive gentleman friend and a positive influence. After hearing of my struggles, he talked me out of quitting. I needed that positive force to stay on track. I desperately wanted to give into my pains and take the easy road out. He helped me see the positives of being the first to graduate college in my family. This pivot point changed the trajectory of my life. And to think, if I had allowed negative thoughts and a few setbacks to keep me from my goal of getting my bachelor’s degree, I would not be the first for bachelor's, master's, and now a doctorate degree of my mom’s four daughters. Consequently, the two family members after me would possibly not have continued their education beyond high school. By not throwing in the towel, I blazed a trail that built a legacy of college graduates for my family.

So, the above synopsis of a story was to make this valuable point of having positive influencers on your team. Positive influencers are not about wealth, prestige, or fame. They are kind souls that are happy within and enjoy influencing happiness in others. During a tumultuous time in my life, I had positive influences that inspired me to keep going so that I have the life I live today. 

Let us look at some traits of positive influencers. One trait is they live life with a purpose. They believe in a life of purpose and goal setting. Another trait of a positive influencer is they listen to corrections and advice. Most importantly, a positive influencer has foresight. They don’t see things as they are: they see well into the future. Therefore, my best advice is to explore opportunities to engage with positive people so when you are at your lowest in life, they influence you to see beyond the present and into the future. 

Dr. Stredic, EdD 🦋

Author of Metamorphosis Through Life: Quotes and Affirmations (barnesandnoble.com)

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