I had just watched the sun plunge into the Gulf of Mexico in an enormous splash of blazing light.  But now the once brilliant colors have slowly faded into muted grays as all around me grows dark.  Thirty minutes ago while the sun was exiting the stage and the skies seemed to burst into flames the beach had several visitors.  But that was then and now I find the beach deserted.  After I catch my breath I too began to wade through the warm sand and make my way back to the car.

        I can still hear the relaxing rhythms of the waves massaging the sandy beach but the sounds are beginning to grow faint.  I turn to take one last view of the ocean and was surprised to find that someone had stolen my giant friend.  Disorientated, I wonder how something as vast as the Gulf of Mexico could disappear behind a few sea oats and a pile of sand.  It was reminiscent of playing a game of hide-and-seek with the ocean.  I hid my eyes and began to walk and with each step I counted until I got to fifty and when I had turned around to yell, ready or not, here I come, my elusive friend had vanished.

        As I look at the sand dune silhouetted against the dark skies I am reminded that no matter how small, every bush casts a shadow.  If something as frail and insignificant as a few sea oats and some sand could conceal the mighty ocean, what influence might your life have?  If the entire ocean is affected by a pebble, just think of the impact you are having.  Every thing we do makes a ripple in the ocean of life.  Each of us influences somebody everyday.  And our influence is either negative or positive, but never neutral.

        Somebody is following you and walking in your steps and you may never be aware of how great your influence has been on their life.  Perhaps a small child looks up to you and secretly wishes to be like you.  Friends, family and coworkers all are affected by the things we say and do.  Will those following us see beautiful sunsets or shadows of darkness?  Will our followers find encouragement or despair?  Will those who walk behind us find pleasant paths or blistering sand?  When they look in our direction will we reveal or conceal the beauties of a good life?  Are we playing hide-and-seek or follow the leader?  Happiness is a choice; choose to leave pleasant footprints today.

Something to think about:

• When I think of those who have influenced my life the most, I think not of the great but of the good.

• Why does one man’s yawning make another yawn?

• We reform others unconsciously when we walk uprightly.

• Our lives are shaped by those who love us—and by those who refuse to love us.

• The people who influence you are people who believe in you.

• A good example affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

• Example is not the main thing influencing others—it’s the only thing.

• We do more good by being good than any other way.

Thankful for those who walk before me
Rickey Moore