Influence
The Power of Influence By: Rich Brunelle
Throughout history some men and women have had a power to
influence the masses. We have all experienced the power of
influence in one way or another. I don't mean coercion or
intimidation. I mean a power of influence in which a person has
the ability to simply tell others to act a certain way, and they
would.
A Priest can wield that kind of influence. Those of you that
live with religion in your hearts have experienced the power of
a Priest speaking from the pulpit to the pews and suddenly the
whole congregation is up in mass following the Priests
direction. Some Priests have the ability to make the unbeliever
believe and the sinner a saint in a single sermon. But, there
are those that are much more powerful.
Had John F. Kennedy lived a longer life, his influence
throughout this country would have probably taken this country
on a much more ethical path. Had Martin Luther King lived a
longer life, this country would probably have followed a more
tolerant path. Both of these men were probably killed because of
the power they held to influence the country. Abraham Lincoln
also held such power, meeting death at a time not his own
choosing.
Michael Jackson may have had such a power for a short time. That
is until he was swallowed by the dark side. The Reverend Jesse
Jackson although having a dabbling of such power fails to see
the man he could be, were he to give up his racial and political
agenda for one more serving of all races and tolerance. A few of
our recent Presidents have also had such power within their
grasp, losing it to acts of indiscretion or poor decision.
Behind the scenes, many a First Lady has held such power.
Although, none using such to such a degree as to cast shadow
upon the men in their lives. Hillary Clinton may have such
power, but chooses to remain in the background more than the
foreground. Dr. Phil has this power to a degree, but his wife
may actually be stronger in this regard. Jerry Springer does not
have this power, even with the sincerity of his closing
commentary at the end of each episode. Donald Trump only has
this power over those he can fire.
Some of the people most powerful in influence have been women.
Throughout most of her career Barbara Walters has carefully
demonstrated such power. Even today, was she to speak to this
country's political structure, many would follow her lead. One
woman exceeds all others in this power. Opera Winfrey has not
only demonstrated such power recently in both the political and
humanity areas. She continues to influence common sense issues
and marketing. It wouldn't surprise me if Opera Winfrey were to
ask the world to stop and sing a song from coast-to-coast at a
certain time and date, if the world would do so.
How did Opera Winfrey obtain such power? The media didn't give
her this power. Although, the media certainly provided a method
for it's use and far reach. She may have been born with this
power, but she probably just has enough heart, enough integrity,
and enough trust that this power is given to her. That's right
folks. Not magic, not born with, but earned.