My post last week dealt with the concept of association,
meaning that principle of life where we tend to come to our opinions about
things by what we associate them with. There is another important life
principle that can also rightly be called the principle of association - who we
associate with will very much influence the direction our lives take. Rather
than try and expound on it myself, here is a quote that I came across from
former US
Secretary of State Colin Powell. I think he says it pretty well.
“The less you
associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you
tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important
attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and
negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your
friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are.
Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will
stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you will
eventually decrease you. Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive
people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to
the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to
tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain
to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.
Don't follow anyone who is not going anywhere. With some people you spend an evening, with others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions
along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the
right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl, but if
you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. ‘A
mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind
of friends he chooses.’ The simple but true fact of life is that you become
like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad.” Colin
Powell
This can also be called a biblical principle…
“He who walks with the
wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs
13:20
what a wise man he is. mom always said you are judged by the company you keep I guess we are also molded in their lifestyle. How careful we must be that the ONE we follow and hang out with and associate with is Jesus no one should have the power to make us be something that is not honouring to Him. gossip and negativity go hand in hand oh be careful little eyes what you see oh be careful little ears what you hear and be careful little MOUTHS what you say for the father up above is looking down in love so be careful little eyes ears and mouth what you say
ReplyDeleteYep, I know that we are not supposed to just have our clicks and our holy huddles but we do need to be really careful who is influencing who and that we are not getting bogged down in mediocrity because then we won't likely be able to help anyone else let alone ourselves.
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