Know your Circle!
Yesterday they were doing some reconstruction at home. So there were these stones that were being used and my baby sister (6 year old) had separated herself into a certain corner trying to make fire as she was told by her elder siblings.
When I saw her it took me back to a certain event in primary five where the girls made an initiative to make fire after learning about early man and apparently he used two sticks or two stones to make fire! We were in luck because there were some few rocks by the girls’ lavatories.
As we all rushed to satisfy our experimental anxiety towards the rocks on a Sunday morning. We couldn’t think twice about the theories that were given us! It just had to work!
However, what impressed me is that this initiative consumed almost half of our day but there was a lot of cooperation and unity as those that would hit the rocks and get weary one who felt the energy would take over but in all ways the rocks had to continue with the same or greater force!
Eventually as we took turns and worked together, even those who always seemed “too cool to cooperate” took part we got down sparks from a few of the specimen.
But even then we didn’t give up rather we were more encouraged till it was time for lunch. It was quite amazing how we worked together to get something done. The power of association took us to great lengths for achievement
Since we had a common goal we encouraged each other, supported even trusted each other to get the job done.
Even the Bible recommends association!
Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
-Ecclesiastes 4 : 9-10 AMP
I have learnt Never to underestimate the impact (positive and negative) people/friends you associate with have in your life! Whether it may be temporary or for the rest of your days.
Invest time in associations that add value to you! In every aspect whether school or at work always keep yourself around people that have wisdom!
Spend time with the wise because not only will they teach you some things, some character will automatically rub off on you and that’s what we call Impartation!
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart for it. [Isa. 32:6.]
-Proverbs 13 : 20 AMP
(The Amplified emphasizes the fact that the mere walking with such people transforms your character into theirs! that’s so powerful!)
Sadly this also applies to those associations that can disarray your destiny or even life!
Know who you’re friends are and honor them.
Well what’s funny is to some people even those that you sat next to at a certain meeting or that random person you apparently said “hello” to and talked with for a few minutes maybe even in a taxi or the bank are given the title of “A friend of hers/his” Quite hectic right?
I’ve met OGs and OBs I studied with in kindergarten, primary who weren’t even my friends but for some reason I knew that they existed in the class because I was that kind of person that was..you know… with a sharp visual memory . So they come up after a while and are like, “wow I missed you my long lost friend” and in my head I’m like “Whaaaat?!? you didn’t even know my name! How did the bond grow so fast!?!”
What am trying to say is, very many people will come to your life titled “friends”and will seem pleasant to hang with but always take time to examine those people that come into your life,grade them on the scales of value addition and know the grade of relationship you ought to have with them.
We are called to love everyone but loving everyone doesn’t mean everyone is invited to eat from the same plate with you!
For me it’s always “Yes, I love you but let
Me love you from out there!” I keep my life guarded because I know what the wrong associations can do!
A certain wise man once said, “You’re the average of the 5 people that are around you!” Know your circles!