Power of Association

We are influenced by people from the way we eat, think, act and even dress. In life, co-operation is found in all aspect of nature, it arise from reasons ranging from protection, avoidance of loneliness and support.

The power of association has been a formidable subject; studies have been made by many philosophers over time. They say you are who you associate with. The bible says “can two walk together unless they agree”? From the beginning of time, man has need for others to function. In Genesis 2:21, God himself recognized the need to have companion. In life there is nothing like a self made millionaire, no one can achieve anything good or bad without the help of another.

As social people, we are influenced by our environment. The greatest people who have great influence over us are those we really love, from our mentors, parents and favourite celebrities. There is a popular saying that in five (5) years two things will determine your level of change, the books we read and the people one meets along the way of life. Love or hate it, more than 90% of the decisions you make or are going to make in your life time are decisions imposed on you or shaped by people knowingly or unknowingly, from television commercial to normal harmless instructive advise from people.

It is essential to associate with people of value so that we can learn from them.

A walk with the wise make you wise, nothing cripples a person’s destiny like the wrong company of friends. A lot can be said of a person on how he/she will live and end up in life by the friends they keep.

Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Automobile never had much school; he was just an auto mechanic but was able to discuss with intellectuals, businessmen and circular people because he worked day and night with graduates (his workers) as well as make friends with inventor, Thomas Edison. Today we talk of legend basket baller, Michael Jordan, but do you know that Jordan would have never had many scores if not for teammate superstar actor, Dennis Rodman. International rapper, Curt Jackson also known as 50 cent became an overnight success by his association with Eminem and Dr. Dre. International sensational singer and actress, Whitney Houston became a drug user because of her marriage to America’s “bad boy” singer and actor, Bobby Brown. She later destroyed her career and reputation in public. The bible says in I Corinthians 15:33 “don’t be misled, bad company corrupts good character”.

Research has shown that 98% success one will achieve when married depends on their spouse. The influence people have over you cannot be neglected.

There are three levels of friendship that everyone will have in their life journey.

1. People who are below you: They look up to you as their mentor and friend, they are your greatest fans, there is nothing wrong with it, but when you have more of these people around you, limitation is going to be your portion, for they take from you without adding.

2. Those that are on the same level with you: They are your pals, colleagues and mate, having more of them as friends will only bring stagnation since there will be no need to improve your life style.

3. People that are above you: They are your mentor, these are people you need more because they will pull you up.

I am not talking of discrimination, for you are to respect everyone and their right of individuality. I’m talking about setting goals in your associations. Friendship is not by force, it is by choice and you have to chose who you will call a friend or associate.

Remember, who you choose to associate with will determine your progress in life. The law will eventually caught up with you sooner or later. Friends will influence you one way or the other whether good or bad.

The funny thing in life is that we can never change our past nor can we influence our future, the only thing we can do is to direct our present.

Remember you are who you associate with, so make the right choice.

Hint: Write down the values you like to see in the people you associate with. It makes it easier to pick the right people.

Wise words

J.C. Watts – Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that is right is to get by and the only thing that is wrong is to get caught.

Alan Simpson – If you don’t have integrity nothing else matters.

Arnold H. Glasgow – Live so that your friends can defend you but never have to.

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