The underestimation of one's impact

As much progress as I have made to be more in the moment and to cue in more to my interactions with people on a daily basis, I still hit that auto drive much too often. Undervalue-ing the immediate, and over time, the far reaching impact on my environment and the people within. I am a prime example of others’ impact. And I am certain that the people who have influenced the directions I have taken are either completely oblivious or underestimate the after-effects of our interactions. I would not have nary a child if it wasn’t for specific people redirecting the course I was going in. And I am not talking the other party required to produce off spring. I literally mean that if it wasn’t for one or another person setting off the chain of events I would have not even encountered the persons required to produce said off spring. The same is true for the profession I am in. If it wasn’t for certain people getting me through college, I would not be in the type of work I am in. Matter of fact, I wouldn’t even be writing (this) right now if it wasn’t for a particular person coming into my life. It reminds me of the book

“ The five people you meet in heaven” by Mitch Albom. You just don’t grasp the full impact you leave behind . So I am trying to be more conscious of the ripple effect of my mere presence in people’s life, no matter how brief the encounter, and expressing my gratitude for others’ presence in mine.