Smoking

Photo by Ravi Roshan on Unsplash

It always makes me a bit sad when I drive by a school and see a group of teens standing just off school property, smoking.

Part of me wishes they wouldn't get trapped so early into such a habit, but part of me also wonders how it happened.

Here's something fascinating. 

Tobacco companies are not allowed to advertise their products.  Cigarettes are only available by asking for them from behind a hidden shelf in a convenience store.  The companies who make cigarettes are not allowed to buy internet ads.  You don't see smoking on TV or in movies.

What is drawing in new smokers?  Why are teens choosing to light up and affect the rest of their life?  What pushed them in that direction?

In a word...influence.

I think there is a lesson in here somewhere. 

Not many businesses could survive by having a 0% advertising budget.  (Aside from Costco!) 
Think about this, someone could be steered to begin a lifelong habit that will shorten their life and decrease the quality of their health, simply by the influence of others.

Let's turn it around.

EVERYTHING works this way!

I believe the good things people do to change their lives happen because of an unseen influence.

No one likes to be bossed around or admit that they are copying someone, but nonetheless it's true.

For good or bad we are influencing everyone around us ALL THE TIME!

Jesus Christ had crowds follow Him everywhere, His message spread through those HE influence by His life.  It's still going today!

What would you say were your influences and how do you think you're influencing your world now?