How does one person become great in history? The idea of courage has been a reoccurring theme in books I’ve been reading and the media I am consuming. And the theme of how to influence people and change the world is the common thread of many of these courageous people.
Reading about the lives of great people gives us a 360⁰ view of their lives; we have the great advantage of seeing how their triumphs and adversities weaved a completed tapestry, that is their story.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.
A few years ago I read Fierce Convictions by Karen Swallow Prior. It is the story of Hannah More who influenced and changed her society through the course of her life. I recently read a condensed version of her life in 7 Women and the Secret to their Greatness by Eric Metaxas (this is a really good book by the way). I was reminded once again of her life and how it influenced her entire culture.
Hannah was poet, playwright, teacher, reformer, and abolitionist. She kept company with such known associates as William Wilberforce, John Newton, and many others.
Reading Hannah More’s life will lead you to the question:
How to Influence People and Change the World?
In a nutshell, Hannah focused on 3 main causes
1. Education for the poor and for women.
This could be considered one of her greatest accomplishments. Hannah knew that education of the poor would have a great influence on lifting the people out of hopelessness and criminal behavior.
2. Reform of morals.
At this time the culture was largely influenced by the elites of society. How to influence and change the morals that were so engrained in the culture? Hannah used her writing to counter the destructive ideas that were popular during her time.
3. The abolition of the slave trade.
Hannah wrote about the slave trade. She worked to influence the average Briton to see the humanity of the African slaves. Through her writings, the people saw the great suffering caused by the slave trade.
How to Influence her Culture during a Time when Women had Little Influence?
Hannah would be an exception to this rule. During a time when women weren’t taken seriously, she waded in fearlessly. She was regarded as one of the most influential women of her time.
Just before she died, Hannah witnessed the end result of what she had been working so hard for decades. The abolishment of the slave trade throughout the British empire.
How to Influence our Sphere
Let’s look at some of the characteristics or attributes we can gather from More’s life.
1. She did not try to change things by herself.
She had friends who supported, encouraged, and, at times, funded her causes. It would have been impossible for her to accomplish what she did on her own. She worked with others.
2. She was in it for the long-haul.
Many times, those fighting to end the slave trade, thought it would end quickly. At the start of their campaign they did not foresee how long it would actually take to accomplish the task. However, despite the setbacks, they preserved in their cause until they saw change. She persevered.
3. She used what was popular in her culture to further her cause.
Hannah was a critic of what was in culture, but was able to turn it to further her ideas of self-improvement and right living. She was a prolific writer, and used her pen to impact the culture around her. She used popular media to further her cause.
How to influence our sphere? Could you apply these characteristics? How are you molding or influencing your world?
0 Comments