I ask that question today because the people we hang out with or associate with also influence our lives directly and/or indirectly. They can make or break us!

Our interactions with people shape our thoughts, beliefs and mindsets. They also influence our behaviours and at times, who we become dependending on what stage of our lives we are.

I do believe the people who can make or unmake us earlier in our lives are our parents or childhood guardians. Who we are born to significantly affect(s) us throughout our lives. Having responsible, resourceful, supportive, caring and loving parents makes a great impacts on our lives.

Parents shape our upbringing, access to resources, material support, basic needs, mental, emotional, spiritual and physical growth. At the onset of our lives, we are defenceless, vulnerable and extremely dependent on our parents, guardians and adults who have primary responsibility for our protections and wellbeing. Therefore, having parents who have good parenting skills, resources, care and love is a big influence on who we become or not be.

Children who are born to resourceful caring parents start on a better footing and are more likely to have better mental, emotional, physical and spiritual growth. Conversely, parents who are poor, neglectful, ignorant and mean to their children cause emotional, physical and psychological harm to their children.

Child neglect, deprivation, physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse perpetrated against children can cause irreparable harm to children and way into adulthood. Growing up in neglectful or abusive homes can lead to low intellectual development, low self-esteem, psychological problems, inter-personal problems, troubled adulthood, substance abuse and mental health problems.

So parents or childhood guardians determine whether a person is starting life with an emotional baggage, financial difficulties, digging out from a hole or on a good footing and are well grounded. That makes a huge difference!

Other Influencers Besides Parents?

Besides our parents, the friends we hang out with, who we interact with, listen to and associate with shape our lives. Some people are motivators, encourages, supporters, financiers, mentors or teachers. Others are detractors, negative, discouragers, motivation killers or destroyers.

It is important to associate, be friends with, marry or listen to people who enhance your worth and help you achieve your full potential. Associate with those who add value to your life. Associate with people who tell you something useful and help you know your worth. Beware of those that talk down on you, discourage and always tell you why you don’t fit for this or can’t do this. Don’t hang out with those who gossip, are mean, negative, jealous, envious of you or others.

Remember what we hear and see affect our feelings, our feelings affect our thoughts and our thoughts affect our behaviour sand actions. Be wise and productive. Listen to people who inspire you and can help you make life choices that positively affect your life. Don’t be stuck with “friends”, spouses and acquaintances who are lazy, gossips, unproductive , bring your spirits down or engage in activities that bring no value or improvements to your life.

Know your worth! Live to your potential. Find those who inspire and can help you move up.

Spend your time usefully. Assess what you gained from every activity. Was that beneficial:mentally, econimically, educationally, professionally? Was that entertaining? Made you happy or feel good about yourself and capacities? Was that uplifting?

Look for great positive influencers to inspire you always.

Take good care and love yourself!

Signed
Akosua G
Ontario, Canada

January 03, 2020