Everyone knows that when you get to college, it’s finally time to start doing your own laundry. You only have so many clothes, and unfortunately, they don’t last semester. Besides costing two dollars to wash and dry (a rip off, in my opinion), there’s the sorting problem.

Growing up, I was always taught that lights and darks aren’t washed together, and the cardinal sin: red clothing with whites. If you want to ruin all of somebody’s clothes, just throw in a red sock with their whites.

When I got to college, I was faced with a decision.

Was it worth it to pay the extra two dollars and wash them separately? Or being the stereotypical broke college student that I am, do I risk it and wash all colors together?

You bet I risked it.

And sadly, a few of my white shirts now have an interesting tint that isn’t exactly white anymore (Mom, you were right).

But really, this article isn’t about how to avoid the colors of laundry bleeding together, or saving money. It’s about something much more important.

It’s crazy how one red sock is able to change the color of an entire load of laundry. Similarly, we as humans, are able to change an entire crowd of people.

The influence that a single red sock has on a massive load of laundry is the same as one person’s ability to influence the people around them. The impact can be positive or negative, and there is power in that decision.

Each and every person influences those around them. From the decisions they make, to simply what they chose to wear, eat, and do on a daily basis. People are observant, and they take notes on what others are doing.

That is human nature.

As influencers of those around us, it is vitally important when we chose to influence, it is positive. To have an impact on somebody’s life is a privilege, and how embarrassing would it be if that influence was negative?

We have a choice and a duty to be positive influencers on those around us, just as they have a duty to be positive influencers on ours.

On the flip side, the danger in this is the ability for that single red sock to negatively influence everyone around them. Just as it is simple to positively influence someone, it is perhaps even easier to negatively influence them.

It is mind-blowing to me how one person is able to change the ideas of many, and is not something we should take for granted. It is a privilege that should be used carefully and for good, as it can impact the lives of those who are most important to us.

Because if you’re going to turn a whole load of laundry pink, it better be the best shade of pink.