Most inspirational person that affected you

**Buddha12** · 05-14-12, 07:12 PM

I was trying to remember some of the other people in my life who were an inspiration to me besides my parents. I know that my 4th grade teacher was very inspirational by helping me compose my own music score and lyrics and my 7th grade shop teacher who helped me build a motorcycle. Looking back I'd think that teachers have affected me more than anyone else while growing up. Who were your inspirations, if you recall them?

**DaveC426913** · 05-14-12, 07:28 PM

My mom.

**Saturnine Pariah** · 05-14-12, 08:23 PM

My Father, Uncle, 12th grade English teacher, 9th grade Biology Teacher.

**NMSquirrel** · 05-14-12, 09:34 PM

the ppl who have been in my life who has had the patience of Methuselah ..

I can be a difficult person to argue with, it is the ppl who have the patience to bear with me long enough for me to get what they are trying to teach ..
there is no one particular person i can think of..but i can say there are at least a couple here on sciforums who have had that patience with me..

**Rav** · 05-15-12, 11:10 AM

I had a beloved 4th grade teacher as well. Her name was Leslie. She liked us to call her Leslie too, rather than Miss White. The other teachers didn't like that, but screw 'em. She was totally awesome. I'll never forget the time our class had to do a landscape painting, adorned with actual flora that we went out to collect in the schoolyard (you know, bits of bark, grass, flowers etc). The person who did the best one was going to get a prize. At the end of class on that day she asked me to stay back for a few minutes, during which she sat me down and told me that I'd won. I don't remember what the prize was anymore. What I do remember is how she made me feel so good about myself that I went home smiling. She was like that with everyone. Best teacher ever.

**Fraggle Rocker** · 05-15-12, 12:21 PM

Back in the 1950s (perhaps this is still true) things like music, art, cooking, wood shop, etc., were taught sporadically rather than every day. In the 4th grade we had a music teacher who came in for one hour every week.

Looking back on the experience I realize that some of her lessons were way over the heads of most nine year-olds, but she loved her work and hoped that someone in that room understood her.

I was that one. She explained the Circle of Fifths, chords and chord progressions and I just drank it up. When I got home I pulled out my little two-octave glockenspiel (everybody called them "xylophones" in those days but a xylophone has wooden keys, not metal) and built every major, minor, seventh, diminished and augmented chord in every key. Within a few days I could play the songs I heard on the radio, with the appropriate chords.

I was in heaven. I sang in every chorus or choir that was available, and even joined the flutophone (a cheap plastic recorder) band. Knowing all about harmony opened all the doors of music to me.

When rock and roll appeared, I got myself a guitar like every other kid in America, and learned to play it rather easily because I knew what notes went into forming the chords in each key and how those chords worked together to create harmony, tension, etc.

Sixty years after that first music class I'm still a musician, although I play bass guitar now because it just works better for me.

I forgot that wonderful lady's name decades ago, but not a day goes by that I don't thank her. Several of my friends are music teachers and I love them.

**kx000** · 05-16-12, 02:58 PM

The collection of bad, and foolish people in my life have inspired me to see the world in a new light.

**Saturnine Pariah** · 05-18-12, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Knowledge91

The collection of bad, and foolish people in my life have inspired me to see the world in a new light.

What "light" the light of misanthropic individual(already ahead of you) or somting else?

**Epictetus** · 05-21-12, 03:41 AM

My father. Once he bought a new car and sold his old one over the phone for $125. (Um, this all happened about 500 years ago). Then a man came to our house and offered him $200. My dad refused the offer telling the man the car was already sold. The neighbors who were out on their porches as usual thought Dad was a fool, but my mum explained to us about integrity. It must have been a very inspirational lesson because most of what the old man ever had to say to me I have either ignored or have since forgotten. Actions do speak louder than words.

**NMSquirrel** · 05-21-12, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Epictetus

My father. Once he bought a new car and sold his old one over the phone for $125. (Um, this all happened about 500 years ago). Then a man came to our house and offered him $200. My dad refused the offer telling the man the car was already sold. The neighbors who were out on their porches as usual thought Dad was a fool, but my mum explained to us about integrity. It must have been a very inspirational lesson because most of what the old man ever had to say to me I have either ignored or have since forgotten. Actions do speak louder than words.

funny..
i just sold a car for 500..that was after i sold it for 350..the guy that i sold it to for 350 took three weeks to come and get it..(he came the day i sold it to the other guy(after i told him i sold it to the other guy)

I do not think i was in the wrong because i told him that i was gonna put it up for 500..(i gave him his 350 back)

but he was irate..he said he thought i was joking..(after the fact. when i told him i was gonna do that, he did not say anything, so i assumed he was ok with it..)

he is a forgiving person..but this one may take him awhile to get over..it was the maddest i have ever seen him get...

**Buddha12** · 05-21-12, 03:58 PM

In my OP I did ask that you leave your parents out of this question.

**Epictetus** · 05-21-12, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Buddha12

In my OP I did ask that you leave your parents out of this question.

Rats!

**GeoffP** · 05-22-12, 07:55 AM

Jesus' tailor.

If you look at those historical-type pictures of him, he's always in these flowing robes with lots of freedom. They must be very airy also. Comfortable in the ME climate, but with an undeniable streak of unassailable dignity, if you don't count the Passion thingy. Soft natural organic fabrics, always comfortable while still being dressed up for the business of human salvation.

Clearly, whoever his tailor was - and history does not record this individuals' name - he must have been brilliant.

Next up, of course, would be His barber. Have you seen that beard?

**Buddha12** · 05-22-12, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by GeoffP

Jesus' tailor.

If you look at those historical-type pictures of him, he's always in these flowing robes with lots of freedom. They must be very airy also. Comfortable in the ME climate, but with an undeniable streak of unassailable dignity, if you don't count the Passion thingy. Soft natural organic fabrics, always comfortable

Kinda like these guys....