the power of influence…

i’ve written about it before. i don’t think too many of us understand how much influence we have. all of us DO have it. if you are on the internet at all, you are influenced. and if you have a blog, you are influencing others. but our daily life is having an impact on others, whether we think so or not. there are so many people who have and continue to influence me. we can’t be alive and not take in what others are doing and saying, and have it affect us, positively or negatively. going to someone’s home (like ebba’s on tuesday) makes me want to go home and restyle things. i can’t believe i didn’t write more about how fantastic and inspiring her house was!  i must say that i’m not as influenced as i used to be about home decor…i’m not as easily influenced or impressed as i get older : ) i find that i see the beauty in more every day living than i used to, rather than the ostentatious decor that may have caught my eye when i was younger.

the thing that i am aware of because i know about the power of influence, is this: what am i allowing to influence me that i shouldn’t allow in? i think it’s easy to downplay what we allow in. i know that i won’t willingly allow myself to be subjected to anything evil. i don’t find it funny and i don’t take it lightly. i guard my heart and mind against it. i know that it’s impossible to fully protect yourself or loved ones from all evil, because we live in a world that has all sorts of evil and depravity, and that’s why i believe that one of the most powerful ways to protect myself and loved ones is through prayer. there was a time when i didn’t realize how important this is. i allowed myself to be around evil via television and movies, people, and surroundings, and i found that i lost a certain amount of innocence and wholesomeness, as well as being completely desensitized. it made me sad when i came to that realization. so i started to pray and seek the Lord. amazingly enough, he restored much of that in me (which i would have never believed without divine intervention) and although i’m far from innocent, i do feel like i am somewhat wholesome again : ) i find that appealing in others and certainly would like it to be so with myself. i feel badly for people i see who are seeking the spotlight or attention by doing things that are radical (in a weird, negative way) or just being obnoxious for attention. not attractive. sort of like a child being naughty for attention….only it’s the adult version. don’t get me wrong, i like people who are different and strong enough to stand for things they believe in, i just shudder when i recognize behavior that’s more about the attention it draws than for a true belief. wow, i did not intend for this post to go this way.

“great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force; that thoughts rule the world.” emerson

this was the quote that i read that led me to thoughts of influence. that plus the fact that i photographed a lady (and her family) who had such influence on me at such a rough time in my life. helen hired me to work for her at her tearoom, which was called “carey cottage”. i was about to go through a divorce (i must have known at some level that it was coming), i was floundering and didn’t know my place. between helen and the other amazing women i worked with, i sort of blossomed into who i was meant to be. dramatic, yes. i also found the Lord during this time. i was pretty lost spiritually. on a sidenote: our pastor is teaching a series on the fruits of the Spirit right now, and he taught on joy this past sunday. it was so thought provoking and good. my notes are jammed onto the front and back of the bulletin. one quote that has resounded with me since sunday, is this: “people who have no Spiritual depth, can not maintain joy”. i think this may be one of the most non-Biblically profound statements i have heard. he talked about the difference between happiness and joy too. happiness is basically based on circumstances and choice. joy is a gift from God that can be maintained regardless of circumstances. (another tangent). so anyway, helen had a huge influence on me. she represents a sort of strength that i don’t think i had seen in any other woman. she knows the importance of relationships with other women and taught me so much about being gracious and entertaining.  i admire her greatly and am so grateful to know her. her family is beautiful too! it was great to see her sisters (who i hadn’t seen since the carey cottage days!) and two of her sons, her grandsons and their significant others and of course, duane, her husband (who has encouraged me about my photos…which i appreciate so much).

these two were so full of energy and fun! i adore the color of this chair too. kori painted the whole set this color and it’s so charming! we shot some photos at duane and helen’s (beautiful traditional home on one of our city’s most stately streets) and then at tim and cori’s lake home (which is on the lake we used to live on. their lakeside is so pretty with foliage!) i hope you like these krauses!

God bless your day!