It's likely there are one, two or maybe even three people who we have admired and thought of as someone we would like to be like. Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint what it is about the person that captures our attention.

Do you remember a person in your life whose words or even actions made such an impact on you that something deep inside of you was affected? It may have been anyone, a neighbor, a friend's parent, even someone whose humanitarian efforts were showcased on TV that was a big influence on your life. Their effect on you may have been from a conversation, a series of talks or just their demeanor. In the case of seeing someone on TV it just could have grabbed you by affecting your emotions as you watched and listened.

I remember once when I was about sixteen or seventeen our family went on one of the usual summer trips to a different state or Canada. I don't remember much about the trip except one thing. We stopped in a suburb near Cleveland, Ohio to visit a relative none of us knew we had except my father, or possibly my mother. It was a nice big house furnished very nicely. Mostly what I remember from that visit was the owner, a previously unknown cousin of ours, made his money from betting on horses. Not something one normally remembers, but nonetheless, that one thing stuck in my mind over the years. Ever since then I've wanted to be a big-time gambler, in one way or another. A successful twenty year stint doing horserace betting research and actual betting ended a decade ago to give way to real estate investing for higher stakes.

I pretty much abandoned most of my other activities and hobbies over the years, but never the most risky, commodities or futures trading, and option trading. Now, over half a lifetime later I am getting much more involved in financial trading. Sometimes you never know who or what will have a long-term influence on you.

Remember that you too can have an influence, either good or bad, on others. Whether you think about it or not, people notice you at school, on your job, even in the supermarket, and most everywhere there are people around. Your bearing, posture, and attitude are noted by them. How we carry ourselves can influence others. If you approach every day thinking to yourself, "today others are watching and learning from me" you will almost certainly act differently.

Being open to situations and people that are difficult to handle is also a wonderful lesson. Each time we feel challenged by someone else's judgment, blunt, or even stupid remarks, we can feel the sensitive spot they hit inside of us. We usually prefer gentle teachers and lessons, but sometimes sharp remarks are good catalysts for change also. The main thing is to be open and keep in mind that people say things for various reasons.

Someone's remarks may not be accurate because people can speak out of their own jealousy, irritation and past experiences. Nonetheless, people's comments may contain a bit of truth and that we can reflect upon despite their projections or misperception. See if there is something in what someone says and if there is you can study it. If not, you can forget about it.

What lessons have you learned from others? Often we learn something from a book or sometimes even a movie changes us. However, there is something special about having a dialogue in person. The power of their words in the moment is a stronger expression, one that has more importance to us. In the east, they say review every situation and person as a teacher. Find the gem in the lesson that is right in front of your nose.

Always remember that to someone else you might be a role model. You need to try to carry yourself in a way that puts you in a good light. It is also important that you make a good impression on children as they could take clues from you that could last a long time or even a lifetime. You certainly would want them to see the better side of you and hope whatever they see in you influences them in a positive way.