This is one of my favourite photos. It shows two things which always fascinate me. Firstly, the duck, which is apparently just sitting on the water is sending out ripples across the surface in the most beautiful pattern of concentric circles. Secondly, the fish appear to swimming around the duck, some even following the actual ripples.
This is a great example of how just by living we change the world around us and influence the lives of others.
D H Lawrence said –
As we live, we are transmitters of life.
When I’ve looked at this photo in the past, I’ve been struck by how we “influencers”, but, after reading this sentence by Lawrence, I think “transmitters” is a better word to use. Besides, “influencers” has become synonymous with marketers, and, in so doing, has lost some of its beauty for me.
We transmit life just by living. As I breathe, as I consume food and drink, as I digest, as move around this little planet, I change the air, the water, the soil, as I go. As I think, and feel, and imagine, and communicate, I change the lives of others. This blog, which really started just as a personal space to gather things that interest me, has, over the years, become a transmitter. I know that from the feedback I receive from people all over the world. That’s become an explicit part of my writing here. I want to share my life experiences. I want to share my photos, my words, in the hope that you, and maybe others you know, will be touched by them, inspired by them. I hope what I create here brings you some joy, evokes some wonder and reflection, and brightens your everyday. Because, creating these posts, does that for me!
We are transmitters of life, and each of us leads a unique, special, life. We are transmitters of life through our personal stories, none of us telling an identical story to another person. We are transmitters of life through our actions and our thoughts. Collectively, we humans shape and sculpt the Earth. We should stay conscious of that. It’ll help us make better choices.
Heroes Not Zombies 
Bob, you recently posted something about two words which annoyed/concerned you – utility and growth – and you asked what other words might evoke a similar response in others. I was about to respond with the word consumer, but you forestalled me – I used to think naively that consuming meant things like food and drink, but apparently we’re all supposed to be consumers of things like cars, washing machines, iPhones, the NHS, legal services, local government services arts, culture etc etc … And the other word which worries me is the one which you highlight here – influencer. There are all sorts of people on Facebook, Twitter (or whatever it’s called now) and other social media, claiming to be influencers. Most of the time, it’s fairly trivial lifestyle stuff they’re concerned with, but all too often these “influencers” are far more negative, promoting misogyny, racism, hatred of others. Andrew Tate and Elon Musk – influencers. Not a good word. But hopefully it’s not all negative – if enough people read the things that you post on your blog, who knows – you’re very much an influencer for good.
Thank you Martin!