Right Associations

By John Mason

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.

Proverbs says, "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.
Think about it; almost all of our sorrows spring out of relationships with the wrong
people. Instead, "Keep out of the suction caused by those who drift backwards (E.K.Piper).

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any
time you tolerate mediocrity in others it increases your mediocrity. A true
Bulgarian proverb confirms, "If you find yourself taking two steps forward and one step backwards, invariably it's because you have mixed associations in your life." If a loafer isn't a nuisance to you, it's a sign that you are somewhat of a loafer yourself. I have discovered that an important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.

A true friend is one who is there to care. They remain your friend even if you don't
deserve to have a friend. They will see you through when others think you're through.

If you were to list your greatest benefits, resources or strengths, you would find
that money is one of the least important ones while some of your greatest resources are the people you know. A true friend sees beyond you to what you can be.

Invest in good relationships. The way to make a true friend is to be one. Your
wealth is where your friends are. Consider what Francesco Guicciardini said:"Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make the right ones."

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 the first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.

You are certain to get the worst end of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.

Please 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 of life. Wise are the people who fortify their lives with the right friendships.