The Company You Keep

First, let me say Happy New Year. I hope that you are have a blessed and properous New Year and that may your dreams, resolutions, and whatever you have chosen to accomplish will be accomplished.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to rant about today, and then I received this email and I was inspired. Last year I had a severe issue with the word FRIENDSHIP, so much so that I ended some, regained some, and reinforced some. Though each one was met with its respective emotion, I am still often curious about the word. Even moreso, I am often curious about the perception that certain friendships create. So, with that being said, read the following and draw your own conclusion. I will spend this year in the company those worthy of being called "my Friend". I capitalized the F because to be a friend is worthy of a title. Let us call people for what they are and stop honoring those unworthy with a title they don't deserve. In addition, the next time someone regards you a certain way, think about the company you keep and you might be in for quite an awakening.

It Is Better To Be Alone, Than In The Wrong Company

Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are. 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.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’s 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 oflife.
Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.

The ranting ceases and I step away from the computer. :-)