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.