Maybe you’ve seen the movie 42 depicting Jackie Robinson’s life.
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Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play major-league baseball when he suited up for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. It is a great story of how a person’s influence can make a difference.
In breaking the color barrier, Robinson faced all kinds of abuse, both physically and verbally. One day when the Dodgers were playing at home, he committed an error while playing second base. The crowd began to get nasty. Even his own fans were being rude and loud.
All of a sudden, Brooklyn’s beloved shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over to Jackie and put his arm around him. Reese was a beloved Dodger and the fans couldn’t bring themselves to ridicule him. The fans stopped booing and yelling.
Robinson would later say that the moment Reese stood next to him was the day his career was saved. Reese would later say,
“I was just trying to make the world a little bit better. That’s what you’re supposed to do with your life, isn’t it?”
What would have happened if Pee Wee Reese had left his teammate to handle his own business or didn’t want to interfere? What if Reese had been more consumed with himself than his teammates?
It is possible that Jackie might have quit or become more discouraged.
Jackie Robinson is one of sport’s all-time heroes, not just because of his hall of fame talent but because of his trailblazing legacy and the powerful impact he had on the world.
Some of us are like Pee Wee Reese and have position, status, authority, or a title. But we all have some sort of influence. Hopefully, there are people that respect us.
Imagine how much influence you can have on those around you. Your words and actions are powerful. You might never do something that has potential world-changing impact like as Pee Wee Reese did for Jackie Robinson, but you can still use your position and influence as an opportunity to improve whatever situation you find yourself in.
You can make a monumental impact on somebody in your circle of influence. You can make a difference in somebody’s world today.
Use your influence for good.