Influences
It seems to me that you can tell al lot about someone by the things that influence them.
In my life I have been highly influenced by a number of people in different ways:
Cerebrally
Viscerally
Aesthetically
Spiritually
These people have had a major impact on me and altered the way I think and the way I feel about things.
I thought it might be an idea to explore this fully. This is not a question of ‘likes’. The impact of my influences goes beyond that. These are people who have affected the philosophy I live by.
I have been influenced by:
Music
Drama
Literature
Art
Philosophy
Religion
Poetry
Science
Film
Friends
Other people
Architecture
Dance
Nature
Parents
Politicians
Photography
Native American Indians
Sport
Probably – as time goes by, other areas will come to mind.
These people have impacted on me to create the social conscience, attitude of tolerance, empathy with the plight of other humans and wild creatures, awareness of politics, environmental concern, civil rights and equality, respect for others, responsibility for my actions and the awe and wonder I feel when seeing beauty in all its many forms.
I am still not sure how much we change from our interactions with the arts – or whether we seek out the art that reflects our own feelings and thoughts. I do know that the people who have influenced me have inspired me and enabled me to exam my own attitudes in greater depth. That has been liberating.
My philosophy led me into teaching and writing. I believe in trying to make the world a better place and that education is the key to that.