The Power of Association is too real: "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. Note: Be not mistaken. This is applicable to family as well as friends".
Mediocrity seems to be acceptable amongst some, at work, in groups, at school and at college. We often experience staff at shops, companies or restaurants doing just what they have to and delivering products or services of very little quality. They don't rise above expectations, do the little extra or deliver on a level which makes people smile and proud to be associated with their service or brand in some or other way.
The challenge I propose this week is that we stretch! Stretch our minds to be more constructive, to increase our problem solving skills, to create and innovate and take our thinking to the next level. Stretch our ability to perform, to learn, to conquer, to make a difference, to emanate positivity so contagious. Stretch ourselves physically, to run the extra kilometre, to do an extra class at gym, to choose the stairs instead of the lift, to park further from entrances so that we can fit in an extra walk, to discipline ourselves with what we choose to eat and drink. Stretch ourselves emotionally to forgive where forgiveness is due, to go out of our way to be kind, to love, live and laugh. Stretch ourselves spiritually to strive to be better, to be thankful, to be more committed and to have unshakeable faith.
Let's stretch ourselves... who knows what we will discover about ourselves along the way. Life has a beautiful way of bringing out the best in you!
