The story is told of a farmer who grabbed his shotgun to shoot at a flock of pesky crows. Unfortunately, he didn’t see that the family’s sociable pet parrot had joined the flock of crows.
Click here to listen to the 2-minute audio version of this article.
After firing a few shots, he walked over to the fallen birds and was surprised to find the family parrot had been one of the casualties. The farmer’s children had heard the noise and came running. When they saw the parrot, they asked their father what had happened.
The farmer simply replied, “Bad Company.”
It is said that bad company corrupts good character. The opposite can also be true as a rising tide lifts all ships. Good company can uplift others.
Jim Rohn, a famous motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur is famous for saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Of course, we are responsible for our thoughts and actions but we tend to mirror and take on the characteristics of those we associate with. Throughout my life, I have noticed how I start using phrases or words that those around me tend to use. I have found that I start thinking like them in some areas. That is fine if they are kind, compassionate, positive, and wise people. However, how about those times that I have run with the wrong crowd?
It is easy to start thinking negative thoughts when we hang out with the proverbial “Debbie Downer”. Joel Osteen likes to say, “You cannot hang out with negative people and expect to live a positive life.”
I imagine most of us want to live a positive and productive life. We want to soar like an eagle. For this to happen, then we should be hanging out with eagles and practicing our flight skills. We don’t need to be running with the turkeys and allowing our wings to atrophy.
If you want to soar like an eagle, then you shouldn’t be running with the turkeys.
I encourage you to look for people in your life that lift you up and make you better. Furthermore, I want to encourage you to BE THAT PERSON in other people’s lives. Be that person that encourages them and adds value to their lives. Let’s do our best to soar like an eagle.
Remember that success is a choice. What choice will we make today?