I think many people walk through their lives with no idea of how they impact others. Some people have a very good idea of the way the effect others, be they teachers, or actors, musicians, doctors, et cetera. And then there are the rest of us.

I’ve been on facebook and catching up with people I haven’t seen in decade(s). Several folks have made a point of telling me how I impacted them personally, which is wild on a lot of levels.

One of my great blind spots is seeing myself clearly and seeing how others see me: just call me myopic. I have immense difficulty is seeing that other people see value in me: ask Tattooed Dad, he’ll tell you. (I also miss out completely on the people who are “interested” if you know what I mean…Tattooed Dad can speak to that, too.)

It strikes me as a bit surreal to have people telling me that I influenced their taste in music, that I taught them something important about themselves, or that I inspire them (hi Moonspun) in some way or another.

It’s kind of nice.