Why does this seem so hard to understand? Yet, we struggle with the philosophy. Growing up, I always struggled with the idea that who I surround myself with is more than likely who I will become. Certainly we all want to be liked, and in many ways we all want to be popular. But it finally hit me like a brick.
As stated, growing up I sometimes struggled with who I called my “friends”. I had a couple good friends in elementary school that were tall for their age while I was average. But as a group we strayed in many ways and found ourselves in trouble many times. There were plenty of times when our teacher, Mrs. Winchester would talk to each of us separately and try to educate us on how the others were bad influences.
Funny, I remember thinking we were the cool kids. No one got in our way and other kids wanted to be part of our clique. But shortly thereafter there were some things that occurred at our school that we had nothing to do with. However, because of our mischievous ways we were the first ones questioned. Over time we would find ourselves accused of everything.
Finally I exploded, and told my mother how unfair it was. I expected she would be the first to defend me. It was not that simple. In everything that my mother did, she did for me to learn and to grow. She knew that even if what she said caused me pain that if I needed to hear it, she would say it. She was the best leadership coach who chose to be a housewife.
“How can you blame them, with whom you chose to hang around with?”
What? This was my mother’s reply. I started to make my argument and she instantly motioned her hand and used those two words that gained my attention. “Marcos Antonio, you and those you hang around with have done enough mischievous things that you have yourselves to blame. You need to learn that in life it will always be important to be aware that whom you chose to hang around with is how others will see you. In addition, it will be what you will become.”
My mom always made a lot of sense. She had great wisdom. In time I was cognizant of the fact that whomever I would associate with is how others would view me. As I hungered for a career and growth along the way I quickly learned the next step. Successful people surround themselves with successful people. This is so true in many ways. Successful people share ideas and truly desire for everyone to be successful. Successful people are giving of their time and always have an ear to listen and to provide feedback. Over time hanging around successful people just drives your focus to the right values and principles because those around you live them each day and it is the foundation of success.
I realize this is why we are connected here, because successful people surround themselves with successful people. Thanks for helping in my success.
Leave a Reply