Now this is a good question, I saw it when you posted it and wanted to jump straight in but I needed time to think.
For me personally, it's hard. I grew up in a community where we were surrounded by drug dealers and thugs. They later made a TV Series called Underbelly. When you're in the Ghetto and all around you is just factories and labourer roles. Not much appeals to you. Until you see the big time drug dealer rolling past in a brand new hotted up club sport or sports car, Cash falling out of their pockets and women lining up.
This is what I believe has led to alot of social issues in the Western Suburbs. Not many influential people come up through here. Yes now we have celebrities residing in Footscray and Sunshine but that's because of gentrification and those areas, in my books. Aren't working class suburbs anymore. Hence why I've moved further out. I've "made it" in life. But I enjoy my working class grittiness, not scared of a rumble and I'm all for supporting people. My time is better spent further out.
I think this is where I differ, I went through hell growing up. I always found it odd that the people around me always had a "can't do attitude". I've always believed only you have the power to make change. I am also one of those people that thrive on "can't do". If you tell me I can't do something or it won't happen. The next time you see me I'll be doing it or on my way to doing it.
I have a number of influential people in my life, mainly learning from others failures and successes. I was once a security guard at Melbourne Airport and a regular was Jeff Kennett. A former Victorian Liberal Premier. We had plenty of discussions. I was a young lad, over 10 years ago. I used to always complain about how he stuffed things. He always stood by his decisions. One of our last engagements he turned around and said "When are you going to stop complaining and do something about it, why don't YOU change things then?" I said How? I can't? He responded with "Why not?". I had no response.
I toyed with the idea of getting involved in politics or making change over a few weeks. I decided to enroll into uni. Quit work and off I went. My partner at the time was worried. How would we survive with no income?. But we did.
At uni I met another influential person, my teacher was the leader of the Socialist Alliance for the area. Some things I agreed with, many I did not. She enraged me so much that I decided to engage with politics and I made a decision to run for local government.
I joined the party that best fit my views and attended branch meetings, where I met another influential person. Long story short, they told me I would never get the support or be able to run for local government from the party and I was dreaming. Remember my thing about I can't?
By the time the elections rolled around I had the support of the party and the local community. I ran, I missed out by 250votes. I only spent $1500 on my election. Politics is dirty and I will go into why I lost on another post. But legal costs exceeded $20,000.
For me currently, my influential person is my wife. Everything she has been through and everything she has supported me through (we have been together since we were 11 and 12 all through our teens and 20s)
Last year we both ran for office, my work got a bit touchy on the subject so I had to stop campaigning in the middle of an election pending an investigation (I was cleared) my wife, stood strong and rallied the community securing victory and becoming the first Indigenous councillor of that municipality (and all of Melbourne's West) shes just as active as me in politics and community life, shes a nurse by trade and still is. She helps out with food banks, volunteering and many other community initiatives. Shes even established community health centres in her free time (which isn't often)
I really admire how you scaled through, not allowing your environment to influence your thinking or actions negatively. Your story is a good success story that should be put out there for people to read and learn from, for all you have said about your wife, she is truly a strong woman
Thank you, she certainly is !ENGAGE 25
ENGAGEtokens.You had quite a journey from drug dealing community to dealing with dirty politicians. It is nice that you found someone who stayed with you during hard times.
this almost sounds like a fairy tale or at least a movie.
Thank you, yes its been a constant battle but it has been worth it and wouldn't change anything about it.
!ENGAGE 25
ENGAGEtokens.Hats off, for this statement. Those who have their life partners as influencers have actually hit the mark. You can always give strength and example to each other. Congratulations.
P.S. You beat me with the years you've known your wife. I met my husband when I was sixteen.
Thank you, it's great knowing a person for so long and sharing your life's journey together. Everyday feels great.
!ENGAGE 25
ENGAGEtoday.So...All that bad environment stuff, the dropkick drug dealers, thugs, pimps, ho's, addicts and general low life's...They influenced you. They showed you a life you could have and you chose differently based on your observations of them. Influencers. Well done for being the you you preferred to be rather than slip back towards the lowest common denominator like so many do. You rose above.
I like what Kennet said, I remember him well, his policy and candid, forthright, attitude. Go do something about it. Yep, easy to say, harder to do. But do it you did, and that speaks highly of you; Your drive, ambition, inner-belief and attitude.
I'm not surprised your wife is an influence on you, but I also feel you are on her and am sure she would agree. That's how it often works.
We are all just people, none intrinsically better than the next...It's our choices that make it so however, that set us apart. We can choose how we act, our attitudes, behaviours and, therefore our projected outcomes.
You chose, based on many influences throughout your life. Seems like you made some good choices...And followed up with action.
!ENGAGE 25
That is a really good pick up, all those negative influences showed me what I didn't want out of life. Sadly a number of my school friends went down that path. ALOT are dead, in jail or fried from drug abuse.
Someone once that my wife and I, being together for so long are like two trees planted together. They bind with each other creating a canopy that creates shade below.
If you plant a smaller trees next to a grown tree, the younger tree does not always have the same chance of surviving. When two trees are planted together their roots intertwine strengthening each other, holding each other with strong foundations. Their branches filling in each other's gaps and even the strongest winds can not topple them.
Below, nature lives as plants an animals escape the harsh environment and reside in strong trees.
He was a friend from the airport, I'll never forget those words.
Wise words and ones to hold close to oneself in life I'd say.
We're all trees mate, all two-hundred foot tall trees, but we start as a little seed, an acorn as such maybe.
We just have to plant the seed that it germinates, nourish it with the right elements and not feed it the wrong ones like negativity and blame, hate, hubris, ego, selfishness and elitism.
Two trees growing together, intertwined? I get it. Faith and I have been together for thirty three years from a young age...Yep, I get it.
Plant a tree in life, be a tree, and you'll have shade, shelter and it'll bear fruit.
!BEER
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BEER.ENGAGEtokens.I agree with you, during our life there are many influential people, in a positive way and in a negative way too, but the important thing is what is in our heart and where we want to go.
A great life story and how the bad influenced you to be better, I admire how you have advanced and climbed in life, your wife is a brave woman who also likes to help, I wish you much success. You could write a book about your story
Perhaps, one day I will. Books in Australia are expensive to write though. Unless it is a best seller there isn't much recouping of costs of production.