An Influential Person
Maneashia Lane
English 121
Adam Deutsch
February 09, 2015

Introduction
Today I would like to introduce you to the most influential person in my life. Her name is Carla Simmons. She is my 41 year sister from Talladega, Al. According to her, growing up she never had a plan or a blueprint for her life. As a result, she never completed anything she started. Consequently, she accomplished her goals later in life.
In 2005 she received her Real Estate license. It was a struggle because she was a single mother of two and worked a full-time job. She worked from 6 A.M-4:30 P.M. She went straight to class after work and didn’t get home until 11 PM. She was tired but she was persistent. In 2014, she received a Bachelor degree in Organizational Management from Historical Talladega College. She is now pursuing an MBA in Organizational Management.
She knows when to be serious and when to have fun. She surrounds herself with positive people, makes time for herself, does things she enjoys doing, and she constantly thinks about being successful. She is an optimist at heart and she has a very positive outlook on life.
First of all, she taught me how to surround myself with positive people because negative people gripe and complain, and have nothing good to say. And no matter how one tries to convince them, they cannot and will not accept that way of thinking. Keeping a positive attitude can be difficult if your audience is negative people, and they are constantly shooting poison darts of negativity. I was once the victim of allowing negative people to influence me, and my career goals. But now that I am wiser, and have plans in place; I fight back positively. She taught me how to counter a negative statement with a positive one. For instance, if a person says, “You will never succeed.” I counter by telling them, “You are right, if I never try.” I get my point across by letting them know that I will try. And in the event I cannot get rid of negative people, I do not let them get me down. But at that moment I focus on maintaining a good attitude and redirecting myself to positive people who are able to give good advice. After all, optimism is contagious and attractive.
Also, we make time for ourselves and I do things we enjoy doing. For instance, she and I are on the track field every morning at 5 A.M. Running gives us the energy we need to make it throughout the day. Being on the track also allows us to appreciate nature and its beauty. Occasionally, we park our cars and walk to our destination. And along the way, sometimes we might buy ourselves a small gift to celebrate our strengths. Optimism is more likely to stay when the body and mind is treated nicely. As the ills of one are reflected in the other, the two by equal deserves care. Throughout the years, I have learned to keep my motivation fresh by feeding my mind with encouraging and motivating books. Namely, the Bible is the best of them so please do not underestimate the power of a word from God!
As a result of my optimistic lifestyle, I constantly think about being successful. I meditate, pray, and make a daily evaluation of my life. However, unexpected things do happen and people disappoint me occasionally. But I tend to focus on solutions rather than problems, and I always have a backup plan. Furthermore, I eliminate anything that causes me pain. And if I ever fail at anything, I simply say, “I have an opportunity to do better the next time.” I keep a list of affirmations on my desk, and my daily activities are done with confidence. I also treat others with kindness and friendship. And I use my efforts to manage the things I have control over, and if I cannot change it, I do not worry about it. I have a smile in my voice, I walk fast, I take big steps, and I have correct posture. After all, personal growth and success depend on where you place your concentration most.
Consequently, the benefits of being an optimist are so many! However, investing more time and feelings in things that are worth it is the main ingredient. So I surround myself with positive people, I do things I really enjoy doing, and I keep the inner fire burning by thinking about being successful. I am an optimist at heart, and I have a very positive outlook on life. I have my sister to thank for that!