By Lauryn Rooker
Staff Writer
Photo by Caitlin Stephens
On February 25, 2010, as TWC students gathered in Townsend Hall, voices filled the room. In our everyday lives, we hear different types of voices all around us and never really stop to see how the voices are affecting us. Dr. Carol Decker presented us with the question, “What are all the influences a person has in the course of a day?” Voices are not always people; voices that influence us come in many different forms. A laugh, music, movies, and much more can all influence what we do and who we are. How many choices do we make based on influence? The number is infinite. Every day we make decisions; that is part of being a human being. But, it is up to us if we make the right decisions. Many times we allow voices to ruin us without even realizing it. If we constantly listen to negativity and constantly are being put down, then our outcomes will become negative instead of positive. Every voice that is in your life is significant, and it is up to you as to how you choose to hear it.
Dr. Decker gave TWC students 5 ways to evaluate the voices in our lives. We need to examine our voices and see if they are positive or negative. We need to see the impact that they are making on our lives. Second, we need to weed the bad out and keep the voices that profess positivity and that are encouraging. Third, we must all take time to listen to even the small voices in our lives. Be still, reflect, concentrate, and pay attention. Fourth, let goodness reign in your lives. Surround yourself with positive influences. Lastly, we have to ignite our own voices. To do this, we must stay in love. We need to be sacrificial and stay in line with who we are and what we do. With whatever we do, we need to do it passionately. We all need to give of our hearts to those we know and even those that we do not. We represent this campus. So, let us be voices, and let all remember that we can be a blessing to anyone and that there is always someone listening and watching your every action. Many people base decisions on those of others. We must all love one another and work together not only as students, but as the body of TWC.
