Submission by Dr. Glenn Mollette

Your life may not make a national impact, but who knows how far your influence might reach? The people, friends, and family you touch today may one day have a tremendous impact on many others. You never know what an acquaintance or a child might grow up to do or become because of you. The difference you’re making now could become the key that helps someone achieve their full potential in life.

We are never certain what exactly influences someone to live a life of evil, destruction, or terrorism. What source of inspiration drives a person to hate others so deeply that they act out violently to wound or kill? We all have various opinions, but anything that negatively influences people in that way is destructive.

While none of us have the ability to save the world, we can pay attention to the world around us. Who are the people we see routinely in our lives? They are our opportunity to influence, love, and mentor in any way we can.

Some people are difficult to mentor or teach. Old dogs often have trouble learning new tricks. That’s why we can’t neglect any opportunity we have to positively impact children and young adults—those who can still be molded, guided, and directed.

When I was a kid, I had family, teachers, coaches, and ministers who were influential. I also had James E. Webb. James is a first cousin who was raised by my grandparents and lived right across the road from me. He taught me how to play the mandolin a little, and he taught me and another cousin how to play the guitar. James is a whiz bluegrass banjo picker who inspired us musically and helped us along the way. He spent time with us, teaching us guitar chords and how to put them together to make songs.

James became Mr. Webb when he was one of my seventh- and eighth-grade teachers. He was a wonderful teacher who made history especially interesting. He was also our eighth-grade basketball coach. The main thing Mr. Webb did for us as a team was get us into good physical condition. Many days our practices began with 45 minutes, sometimes an hour, of running before we even picked up a basketball. We were skinny—and we could run. Around that same time, I didn’t have a basketball goal to practice on, so Mr. Webb built one in his backyard so I would have a place to practice.

Mr. Webb influenced his entire county as a school principal and musician. He made banjos and other quality handcrafted instruments that are scattered throughout Appalachia.

There are a lot of other things James—or Mr. Webb—has done along the way. We’ve had many talks about life. He’s a good storyteller. All of this was 50 years ago or more, but even today, those little things seem like big things—and they were.

Don’t underestimate your influence and how you can mentor others every day.