Influence in our life?

[silvausa]

I have a question which I am researching and I need your help. Who has a greater influence in our lives as individuals, family, or firends, and why do you think so?

[Deana]

Interesting that you post this - I was just thinking about this.

Hands down, my family has the greatest influence in my life. When I say family, I mean my husband first, then my parents and siblings second. They know me the best, we have similar values and despite the fact that they don't always like what I do, they always, always have my best interest in mind and vice-versa. My husband has the ability to draw out the best in me, and give me confidence about things that I never thought were possible.
There are *some* friends that I turn to when I need guidance, but I generally go to my family first. I've been slighted, jipped and hurt by too many untrustworthy friends that have tried to "influence" me, when in fact they were just trying to manipulate either me or a situation. My level of trust in people is relatively low. My family will ALWAYS come before my friends.
I almost always feel like my family is on my side and I know that they always want the best for me. They show me this by continuing to love me even thought they don't always agree with me.

[rdy2rac with]

I said family as well. I see how my sisters are & what they've done in life & I make concious decisions depending on their outcome. However I think I have more of an influence on my family than they have on me. I'm a very strong & outspoken person & quite a few in my family have commented on how they try to take on this trait themselves (my mom een tells me that).

[Csara]

Originally posted by Deana
Hands down, my family has the greatest influence in my life. When I say family, I mean my husband first, then my parents and siblings second. They know me the best, we have similar values and despite the fact that they don't always like what I do, they always, always have my best interest in mind and vice-versa. My husband has the ability to draw out the best in me, and give me confidence about things that I never thought were possible.

My family will ALWAYS come before my friends.
I almost always feel like my family is on my side and I know that they always want the best for me. They show me this by continuing to love me even thought they don't always agree with me.
exactly what she said! :nod:

[nana]

I voted friends. For a couple of reasons, I have a very close group of friends that have been there throughout my life. Include in my friends is my fiance, because he is my best friend. My family rasied me and tried to teach me values, but I truely believe that I am the person I am today, because of my friends. I know this sounds strange, but you have to know my family. :rolleyes: My friends are the reason I went to college, my friends where the ones that encouraged me to get my master's degree, my friends where the only ones that supported me when I choose to move 1700 miles away. My friends are the ones I call when I am having a bad day. My family is my family and I love them but I am the one that influences them...not the other way around.

Just my 2 cents!

[tifferoo]

I picked family but if there was an option for family and friends equally, I would have picked that one. I basically look at my family and friends and let the good qualities they have influence me. There always good and bad qualities in family and friends but it all boils down to which qualities you decide to absorb. My mother was an alchoholic and my father passed away when I was 5 so most people think that the only influence I had was a bad in my childhood because that was the major influence in my life. But that is not the case. I took every bad quality my mother had as an example of what I didn't want to be and I took all of her good qualities such as knowing how to love me and providing for me and nurturing (sp) as examples of how I want to raise my children. I don't believe that you have to become a product of every influence you are exposed to. It all depends on what qualities impress you the most.

[silvausa]

Thank you all for your votes and reply's. It is very nice to hear from people who have great experience. Thanks again.

[meliz]

Hands down, family here too. That is, in the grander life-long scheme of things. I really do think that my parents, grand parents and siblings etc have had the biggest impact on me. I mean they essentially made me the person I am today (heh heh.. blame transfer... it's all their fault!:))... they all set the mold, if you will... and I think I chose Hub precisely because of who that person that I became is. Of course nowadays, it's hub I turn to, and look for support from and give support to in day-to-day living. Then my cloest sis. Then Mom, then the rest of by siblings equally really (they are quite a bit older).

[cali4dawn]

For the sake of voting, I chose family. But not for the reasons you may think.

My family was horrible. I was placed in Foster and went to 17 different schools, yes, really. 15 of those were after 7th grade.

So, in reverse, my family heavily influenced me to learn to be a good person and a great mother. Fortunately, both of my parents have turned their life around. But they weren't there for me growing up.

Now, that being said. I had to learn these things from someone. Watching friends and their families got me where I am today.

[Sexy Strawberry]

Family
My parents and my brother know me like no one does. And they're the best influence! But at the same time they give me a lot of freedom so that I can make my own choices. My family has never disappointed me, my friends have.

[suzieq728]

I picked family, but I too wish there were a combo choice, family/friends, cause I have had some very good friends come into my life that have had a huge influence in my life..

The people on this board have had a big influence in my life..
I cook now :D !

[andrea]

my husband does.... he is my best friend and my family!!!