Stars or Stones
My older daughter was once involved in a sport where bickering, gossiping and negativity were the norm for her team. Don't get me wrong, they were one of the best in the state - they could join forces against rivals and come home with first place bragging rights. Aside from the competition induced moments of unity though, my daughter rarely had more than her disheartening experiences to share when I asked "so how was your practice." She was argumentative at home and had turned into somewhat of a negative ninny.
On her own volition, she traded the bickering bunch for a different group of young ladies in an altogether different sport. These young ladies are pleasant toward each other, encourage each other and keep personal opinions off the record. Not surprisingly, she comes home full of compliments about her teammates and coach. She shares stories about the encouragement she gives/receives during competitions and how they stick together both in and outside the sport that brings them together - you know, the characteristics we hope our children learn through participation in team activities.
Words of wisdom tell us that the measure of a man is the company he keeps. From early days of childhood we are taught about hanging with the 'wrong' crowd and the importance of avoiding negative peer pressure - these lessons are still critical to us as adults.
Why would our elders warn us about who we spend our time with? Perhaps it is because behaviors are contagious. This could be a good thing if applied appropriately. For example, since our habits and mannerisms are influenced by the people that surround us, we should seek to build relationships with people who are on a journey similar to our own.
Positive associations bring about the kind of peer pressure that we didn't really learn about as children. We indeed borrow from our surroundings - things we dislike are avoided while we capture a piece of desireable activity and seek to replicate it in our lives. Like any behavior we could imitate, good or bad, success is contagious. If we want to be successful, we should associate ourselves with successful people.
If everyone in our social/professional circle lacks ambition, seems complacent with the bare minimum in life and would rather wait than work for good things, we probably exhibit similar characteristics. On the other hand, if the company we keep works diligently to excel in their desired path; rises to new levels of achievement and looks for ways to continually improve, we MAY feel compelled to do the same. This is good peer pressure because it motivates us to move in the direction of our goals. Afterall, nobody wants to be left out or considered the weak link in the crew.
On her own volition, she traded the bickering bunch for a different group of young ladies in an altogether different sport. These young ladies are pleasant toward each other, encourage each other and keep personal opinions off the record. Not surprisingly, she comes home full of compliments about her teammates and coach. She shares stories about the encouragement she gives/receives during competitions and how they stick together both in and outside the sport that brings them together - you know, the characteristics we hope our children learn through participation in team activities.
Today's Inspiration
Association Brings Assimilation. Choose Company Wisely
Words of wisdom tell us that the measure of a man is the company he keeps. From early days of childhood we are taught about hanging with the 'wrong' crowd and the importance of avoiding negative peer pressure - these lessons are still critical to us as adults.
Why would our elders warn us about who we spend our time with? Perhaps it is because behaviors are contagious. This could be a good thing if applied appropriately. For example, since our habits and mannerisms are influenced by the people that surround us, we should seek to build relationships with people who are on a journey similar to our own.
Positive associations bring about the kind of peer pressure that we didn't really learn about as children. We indeed borrow from our surroundings - things we dislike are avoided while we capture a piece of desireable activity and seek to replicate it in our lives. Like any behavior we could imitate, good or bad, success is contagious. If we want to be successful, we should associate ourselves with successful people.
If everyone in our social/professional circle lacks ambition, seems complacent with the bare minimum in life and would rather wait than work for good things, we probably exhibit similar characteristics. On the other hand, if the company we keep works diligently to excel in their desired path; rises to new levels of achievement and looks for ways to continually improve, we MAY feel compelled to do the same. This is good peer pressure because it motivates us to move in the direction of our goals. Afterall, nobody wants to be left out or considered the weak link in the crew.
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