Your Need To Know

Most people would acknowledge the fact that the people we spend time around have an affect on us. We are affected both positively and negatively. Children are affected by their parents, parents are affected by their children, spouses by each other, and siblings by each other. Our friends, neighbors, and people we work with, also affect us.

Sometimes, we have no control over who we spend time with – like the people we work with and family members. Other times, we have complete control over who we spend time with, such as our friends, people we talk to on the telephone, and people we invite into our homes.

Your time is one of your most important and precious assets. So doesn’t it make sense to make wise choices about who we spend our precious time with? Do you spend time with people who are good for you and having a positive affect on your life, or do you choose your company with out giving this much thought? Are you surprised by your honest answer to this question?

Think, for a minute about the people with whom you spend your time. Maybe you don’t know why you are friends with some people. Have you ever thought about what affect they are having on you?

I would like to encourage you to take an honest look at how you feel when you are with someone. Is this person helping you to grow? Is this a person you admire and respect? Do you share similar values? Do you feel good after you have spent your time with them?

I’m certainly not suggesting that you break off any friendships, and I’m not suggesting old friendships based on history or even obligation are wrong. I’m merely suggesting you might want to consider spending less time with people who are not having a positive impact on your life. If you do this, you may realize there are some people you would rather not spend so much time with.

This has absolutely nothing to do with making judgments about these people, and it doesn’t mean that you don’t respect them or think they are good people. It doesn’t mean you think that you are any better than they are. It just means that if you don’t feel good when you are with them, or you don’t feel this person is contributing positively to your life, free up some of that time to meet other people or spend more time alone.

I know I have met many people in my life that I really like for one reason or another, but I would rather not spend much time with them. I also have lifelong friends with whom I no longer share the closeness and compatibility we once had. We have grown apart, as many people do, and gone in different directions in our lives. I suppose that most of these people probably feel the same about me.

I acknowledge the fact that I am affected by the people around me. We emulate those who we are most closely associated. I am a believer in the psychological theory that you become like those you associate with most of the time. If you want to be good at golf, then hang around with people who are good golfers. If you want to have money, hang around with people who you want to emulate with money.

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV

We only have a certain amount of time to spend with other people, so it’s up to us to make the best choices we can. The people you choose to spend time with can have a lot of influence on your attitude and overall state of well being. Choose the company you keep wisely. Your life will be less stressful and more fulfilling.

Gina

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