Sociologists have said that even the most introverted person will influence 10,000 people in their lifetime. Some will be a good influence and some will send the wrong message and have a negative impact. Reflecting on years past, many people think of those who have died and made an impact, including scientists, movie stars, and seemingly ordinary people. While they certainly made a difference during their lifetimes, it’s important to remember those whose potential impact has just begun; the millions of babies born each year.

Precious new lives were created this year. Every day, some are born into a world they know nothing about. What contributions will they make and how will they change this world? Who will they become? How will they be influenced? What actions will motivate them and what beliefs will shape their minds? The answer to all these questions cannot be answered yet; it’s too early to tell. The future of these babies is partly in the hands of those around them, and the experiences and lessons they learn over time.

The enormous responsibility we have as adults is overwhelming. Every thing we do, every word we speak, and every action we take will be watched by the children in our lives. This responsibility is held not only by those who have direct daily contact with the children themselves, such as parents and teachers, but also by those who live their lives interacting and engaging with others.

It is critical to realize how important our actions, thoughts, and beliefs are, not just to our own children, but to anyone we see or who may see us. Children are everywhere, including restaurants, stores, schools, churches, neighborhoods, and malls. They are little sponges that absorb the influence we innocently offer them and apply what they see and learn to their own lives. The little boy in the store could see that you speak rudely to the cashier. The girl in a passing car might see you throw a soda can out the window. Her son can hear him yelling at her spouse. Children collect these daily events and learn from them on their journey to adulthood. While seeing a single incident of rudeness or disrespect will not create a “bad” child, a lifetime of these events will give this child a distorted perception of how the world works.

If we want to change this world for the better, we need to be very aware of how we will influence those who will lead it in the future. We must keep in mind how powerful our daily actions are for those just joining the world. Children are constantly growing and being shaped by their experiences, and we have the opportunity to help them grow in positive ways, so they can bring the same positive impact to others.