People Are Most Influenced By.................

That is a great question! What is the answer. I know that I am personally influenced by a lot of things and people.

I think my number one influence is the media. I read a lot of news. I am a news junkie. CNN, FOX, Early Bird, Washington Post, Washington Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and this list does not even include the overseas newspapers I peruse everyday. Each paper has a different perspective. Some conservative. Some liberal. Some down the middle. Can you guess which is which? Do you really care?

Something else that influences my thoughts are those that I work with. Believe it or not, for those that know me, there are more middle of the road thinkers than I previously thought. Is that a good thing? I think so. At least they are objective and look at both sides of the issues before coming to a final determination. I always thought I was in the majority where I worked. Now I know I am not.

Finally, one other person that influences a lot of my thoughts and has exclusive rights to, "banging my ear" is my wife. Unlike many other women that I know, not only is she beautiful, smart and intelligent, but she has a sharp wit and a soft-outspokenness about her. She too, like some of my co-workers keeps an open mind and is able to see both sides of the coin. Sometimes I play the Devil's Advocate and boy do I get an earful. But at the same time, it also gives me an opportunity to utilize her sound thinking to bounce some of my ideas off of. And for that, I am very grateful.

Things that influence you can come in all shapes and sizes. Some good. Some bad. You have to be careful what you let into your psyche. What you let grab your attention. What you let influence you. The bottom line here is to be true to yourself. If it seems right, sounds right and even feels right, then it must be right.

By the way, I'm not using the word, "right" to influence you.