Christian Living

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You may have heard before that, in general, people tend to perform to about the standards of the people they associate with. Your inner circle, how they live, what their attitude to life is like, how much money they make, and what their religious beliefs are, heavily influences your attitude and actions as well.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, including yourself” …Celes

This is why it’s imperative that you surround yourself with people you respect for the accomplishments they make in life. These people tend to push you to desire great things, not pull you in a downward spiral of disappointments. If your peer groups are content with the way things are (settling), negative, don’t support you, and don’t aspire to great things themselves, then they will ultimately keep you from fulfilling the great purpose of your life. You may not notice it directly, but the impact they have on your approach in life is dramatic. That’s why it’s so important to disassociate yourself from people who are not supporting your dreams, or creating dreams of their own.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT…

Just as the foods that you eat on a regular basis affect your body and health, so do the individuals you associate with on a regular basis. If you go to the doctor, and they determine that you have high blood pressure, they are going to help you shave the fat from your diet. Generally speaking, unless your condition is really bad, they will suggest that you eat healthier on a regular basis, and only splurge when absolutely necessary. Well, I am your PC doctor giving you a routine check-up and have just discovered that you need to shave the fat from your close relationships. This doesn’t mean that you should send an email blast to everyone you know, telling them that you can no longer associate with them. However, what it does mean is that you will have to begin evaluating who is an effective part of your life.

DISTINGUISH DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE…

Now that you’re thinking about how many people are in your life and their association to you, you now have to categorize them. IT IS UNHEALTHY TO HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE CLOSEY ATTACHED TO YOU. To start, look at your Facebook list of friends (if you don’t have a Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media account, do it the old-fashion way…get out a pen and paper). Narrow down your list to those who actually are your “friends?” Then, distinguish how each person is associated to you; work, church, school, networking groups etc. Also, list what each person brings to your life, both good and bad.

I’m going to stop here to give people a chance to compile their lists; I’ll finish discussing this topic in my next post. I believe this subject deserves the necessary attention that it’s going to bring. Anything that shapes your life, both positively and negatively, warrants a close evaluation. In the meantime, complete your lists, and remember, I’m not trying to change who you are, I’m just trying to get you to where God wants you to be.

“A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” Proverbs 12:26

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