You Become The Company You Keep
February 21, 2024
It is inevitable if you enter into relations with people on a regular basis…that you will grow to be like them. Place an extinguished piece of coal next to a live one, and either it will cause the other one to die out or the live one will make the other reignite. … If you consort with someone covered in dirt, you can hardly avoid getting a little grimy yourself.
Epictetus
A year ago, my younger son moved out of home to start his university life. Being a concerned parent, I was worried about the type of friends he would make. To ease my own worries, I shared my thoughts with him.
Just like we watch what we eat, we should also be mindful of who we spend time with, especially our friends. Are they kind? Are they honest? Are they considerate and thoughtful? Are they supportive or pulling you down? Are they dependable? Do they have a clear perspective?
We all become the average of the five people we associate with every day. We become the company we keep.
Therefore, it’s essential to cultivate relationships with people who represent the type of person you want to become. Be around individuals who bring out the best in you and whose default behavior is your desired behavior.
[…] A couple of weeks back, I wrote about the advice I gave to my son as he started university. I told him to be mindful of the company he keeps because we tend to become like those we spend time with (You Become The Company You Keep). […]