Which person in your life has most influenced who you are and how you live?

Question

By this I mean someone other than God or Christ. As a Catholic I believe that these two are a given for all Christians. For Muslims someone other than Mohammed. For me it is my mother as she is the strongest person I have ever know,she sacrificed so much for us and her faith in God is awesome. The only thing she ever asked of me when I chose to change my religious beliefs is that I remain Christian.

Answer 1

My father. If I am only half the parent he was in many ways, my kids will be lucky. Sometimes it blows my mind to think of how much he must have loved me. He was incredible. He knew how to temper being my parent with being my friend. He showed me the world, taught me how to think for myself, showed me my potential, and saved me from myself. He even saved me literally once from drowning. Even if he were still alive, there would be no possible way that I could ever repay all he did for me.

Answer 2

I would have to say my son. When I found out I was pregnant with him I had to make a lot of life changes. I was only 17 at the time but already headed down a bad road. I truly think I would have ended up ODing on drugs or getting AIDs if I didn't get pregnant with him. After he was born he was my guiding light. My reason to strive to be a better person. Now he is 16 soon to be 17 himself. he has been a great sounding board for thoughts and ideas. He has shown our family how eating meat may not be the right choice for us, morally and spiritually.He has shown me many things I would not have seen or noticed. He has taught me how to deal with situations in a peaceful way. He is really a great person and I see him as that more than seeing him as my son,something that I created. I see him as a soul that happened to pick me as his mother. What an honor it has been. Thanks for asking this question and giving me another reason to reflect on our wonderful relationship.
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People

Answer 3

My mother. Definitely. She held our family together after my dad died, raised three kids on her own (we were 9, 14 and 15 at the time dad died), none of us turned to drinking or drugs and have all come out the other side reasonably normal, and EXTREMELY close-knit. When I look at my fiance's family, it's like I came from the Cleaver household. My brothers and their families are driving down from Chicago and LA to Dallas for my wedding, my brothers are the ones walking me down the aisle, and the entire clan gets together every year at Mom's in Chicago for the Christmas holidays. Just us is 11 people, and we often bring in other extended family, my best friend (who also calls my mother "Mom"), and others, to where the holidays can have 16-18 people running around the house for 4-5 days at a time.

I gave her a lot of grief growing up, and she still held on and helped me through dealing with my dad's death. She is accepting of my Pagan path, even though she (and my brothers and their families) are Christian. She's become one of my best friends now that I'm grown up, and I'm hoping that when she decides to retire, she'll choose to move down here by me (we've been talking about it).

Answer 4

For me it's my own daughter. She gives me soooo many reasons to be a better person. Not just for her, but for myself as well! Nothing sets the stage for success other than having a positive role model to look up to in life. And there's no better way to lead than by example. I had no idea someone could ever come into my life and have nearly as much influence over me. And yet being the responsible adult, there are also times where discipline is needed, both with my own self, and also her (of course!)

Answer 5

Well for me this is more of a 2 person answer...
The person whe influenced WHO I AM...
Would have to be my dad. My dad taught me to be me, if someone don't like the way I look, the way I sound, think, ... Well that is just too bad... Atleast I am me. Pretty much I shouldn't change ME for anybody. He also taught me not to be afraid of hard work just cuz I'm a girl, how to throw a ball as good as the guys (if not better) lol. He also was the one to introduce Jesus & me to each other.

The person who influences HOW I LIVE...
Would have to be my husband (of soon to be 6 years.)
We share everything our thoughts, feelings & hopes.
We've had our good, & bad times... Thank God we made it through them. We are not only joined together as husband & wife ... But, we are also best friends,& do EVERYTHING as a team. We are our own army of one. :)

Answer 6

My mother. She was an awesome woman. Strong, caring, humorous, and the most non-judgmental person I have ever met. She truly lived the phrase "live and let live". She could easily look at herself objectively and had no problems admitting that she was wrong, yet when she chose to stand her ground she was a force to be reckoned with! I would be satisfied to become half the woman that she was.

Answer 7

Yes mothers do alot of influencing good or bad. This has to do with the greatest or worst impact in one's life and whoever it comes from will turnout to be the one that most influence you.

My mother most influenced me. She is a hard worker and i find that i am. She has lived an independent life and i find thats the life that best suits me too.

Answer 8

I have a spiritual mother in my life. She reminds me of mother Teresa, so kind and holy and close to God. She has always shown me the way to have a shiny soul. In her presence I feel the angels are flying around, as if I am in paradise. I go to her with my sadnesses and she fills my heart with light and pleasure.

Answer 9

As well, My mother.She raised me.She taught me about The LORD, she taught me everything i know, she home schooled me, and raised me right.

Because of her, i can speak about The Word of God, with cohesiveness.

She taught me to be wise, she taught me how the world works.
And thanks to her, i can stand here today, at the age of thirteen, and speak to people more then twice my age online, and they would never guess my age if i didn't tell them.....And some think i lie about my age even when i do tell them.

My mother is a good, God fearing women.I cannot thank her enough for all she's taught me.

Answer 10

My mother, and for many of the same reasons that you listed. She is the epitome of grace and kindness, and is one of the few Christians that can honestly claim that title. She doesn't judge, and loves all people. She never has an unkind word to say about anyone and she is very humble.