When we talk about “influence” today,
our minds often run to the big names; motivational speakers, church leaders, celebrities, influencers with ring lights and hashtags. But if we pause and look closely, many of the people who shaped us most never held a microphone.
Sometimes, it’s the neighbor who never passed by without greeting, teaching you, without saying a word, that kindness costs nothing.
Or that one teacher who didn’t just mark your scripts with red ink but slipped in a “Well done, you’re improving.” Or the friend that always sends you urgent 2k, even though their account balance fit be 3,500.
None of them wrote a book. None of them wore matching agbada to give TED Talks. But if you trace your life well, you’ll realize these people quietly dropped values that stuck like super glue.These are not people trending on social media, but their fingerprints are all over our lives.
The funny thing is, if you trace the best parts of yourself, your patience, your generosity, even your survival strategies, you might find that the roots go back to people who didn’t even know they were teaching you. The ones who shaped you quietly.
The truth is, we tend to underestimate the power of small gestures. We think impact must be loud, grand, and heavily documented. But sometimes the real shapers of destiny are the people who quietly lived out values we later picked up without knowing.
And that, my friend, is legacy
So maybe the question today isn’t “Who’s your biggest mentor?” but “Who quietly shaped you?” I mean the one who shaped you without posting it on their WhatsApp status or making it a thread on Twitter?😁
Drop your gist. Let’s talk.
I totally relate with what you’re saying.
I’m really big on noticing small gestures. I cherish them most.
I don’t even look into the big names. Folks around me thinks I’m a hater for being indifferent about the Davido, Burna boy and other celebs. I celebrate them but hardly talk about them. Hardly follow up trends on them because I’m closely following up the people who know me and I know them, the people I see on a daily basis, I’m their fan!
You’d hardly hear me say, ‘Brian Tracy said and I quote’ not that I don’t read them but I feel more the ones I’ve heard from close people.
Like one day my friend, Norma, said that three is a crowd and you have no idea the many places I’ve used that phrase. There was no ring light before her when she said it. She was in her room facedown and made that joke that went deep into my medulla oblongata.
Little little things shape us truly and I’m really caught up with that.
Thank you, Norma Web
Goodee! You’re making Norma emotional right now… thank you so much for this😃… I can attest to how much you value and love small gestures… And those moments with Norma, she misses them too❤️🥹
I truly love this piece. One of those persons to me is my Dad. He is a calm, kind and a God fearing man. Growing up with him was a blessing.
Awwwwn, God bless Daddy!
Thank you for sharing…
Never underestimate the power of small gestures. The little things people do for you without even expecting nothing in return goes a long way. I mean that simple act of kindness, care, love, etc., they’re not to be taken for granted. These simple acts carried out by people has shaped me. I do things without expecting a reward or anything but if the reward comes I appreciate it with my whole heart.
If you’re helping someone, do that freely and wholeheartedly not that you’re being forced to and don’t go back regretting why you did it.
My parents are my greatest motivation. They taught me love, care, self control, contentment without even saying a word. You mustn’t wait to hear words like “love your siblings”, “show kindness to one another”, etc before you learn. Those unannounced, unexpected acts of kindness, love, care from people you know and those you don’t are enough to make you learn. They’re things we shouldn’t wait to be taught.
Thank you Norma for sharing too.
I totally agree with you, Phena! It’s always the small gestures to me. Most times we don’t even know where we picked up most of the values we exhibit because when we learnt them, they didn’t seem like a big deal until we unknowingly absorbed them and they are parts of our lives now. Of course, the greatest shoutout is to our parents who effortlessly instilled most of these in our lives. Thanks for sharing, Phena😀
There’s just something about nature that is more powerful in little things. I mean look at the influences through tiny gestures that touch the heart. Well said, Norma.
Another wonderful perspective, Ini! Thank you so much for this…
There’s just something about nature that is more powerful in little things. I mean, look at the influences through tiny gestures that touches our heart. Well said, Norma.