One thing my mother was always good at doing, was calling out the people who were never my friend. She had a bit more wisdom than I did, but I thought I knew better, I knew more. Against her guidance, I continued to pursue relationships with these so called “friends” and boyfriends and each time I would end up like a wounded puppy.
At the worst of it, it left me feeling not enough, and feeling unlovable. There is a point in life when you realize that the people around you are a reflection of your self-worth and how you think you deserve to be treated. When you feel worthy enough, you will change your posture and God will hand you the people you NEED around you.
A few questions to ask yourself before we start
- Who do you keep around you?
- Who are your closest friends?
- Do you share values?
- How and why did you become friends?
- What role do they play in your life?
- Do these people help you in your personal growth and development?
This concept of community emphasizes the impact that our relationships and the company we keep can have on our personal growth and development. Let’s get into further explaining this process.
Influence and Inspiration
Are you around people who influence your thoughts, beliefs, and actions positively? Positive, motivated, ambitious individuals can inspire us to strive for greatness, help us to challenge ourselves, and pursue our goals.
That bring me to the next point…
Support and Accountability
Surrounding ourselves with supportive and like-minded people can provide a strong support system. When we falter, they will catch us, they will call us out when we are out of alignment, they will see us when we are drowning and help us float. They can offer encouragement, guidance, and hold us accountable for our actions, helping us stay focused and committed to our goals. It’s great to be self-disciplined and self-motivated, but in the moments when we slip, it’s even better to have someone around you who see’s your vision, who supports it and supports you to be the best version of self.
Energy and Attitude
The energy and attitude of those around us can impact our own mindset and outlook on life. Positive, optimistic individuals can uplift us and contribute to a healthy and constructive atmosphere, fostering personal growth and well-being.
In that same way, friends who always want to point out the negative, laugh at anything new, refuse to be open to different perspectives, prevent you from growing. They tend to be in fear of change and anything that will ultimately help re-shape your identity because comfort and complacency trumps all else. These people will keep you stuck and stagnant. RUN!There are women out there ready to share their knowledge and help you get on your feet.Trust God, and your discernment to let them into your life.
Opportunities and Networks
Our social circles often times provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. These people will help connect you with other individuals who have diverse skills, experiences, and networks, we can gain access to new knowledge, resources, and opportunities that can propel us forward.These people will mention your name in rooms you only dreamed of being in. They will share your work, without the need to ask.
The people we associate with can also serve as mirrors. These mirrors reflect aspects of ourselves back to us. By surrounding ourselves with individuals who possess qualities and values we aspire to cultivate, it can encourage self-reflection and ultimately, personal development.Being around people who inspire and motivate us, helps us stayed aligned with the higher frequencies. Being around lower frequencies, do the same, drags you down a bit deeper.
Where can you meet likeminded people?
Honestly, that all depends on you. Like attracts like. You first have to become ‘HER’, whatever that looks like for you. The envisioning practices we did earlier will help you with this.
You can join activities:
- Church groups
- Company ERGs (Employee Resource Groups)
- Women’s groups
- Hiking groups
- Brunch x professional groups
- Industry professional groups
Women, tend to like to build communities of support, a tale as old as time. There are many out there to find, and if your community does not have one, looks like it’s the perfect time for you to start one.
In summary, the phrase ” You are the sum of people you keep around you,” suggests that the individuals we choose to spend time with can significantly impact our personal growth, mindset, and overall trajectory in life. By consciously selecting positive, supportive, and inspiring individuals, we increase our chances of becoming the best version of ourselves and achieving our goals.
-Trace my journee
Trace my journée 