There are certain fundamentals that, if mastered, will take you far down the road of healthy relationships.
The key to understanding relationships is that relationships involve people. And while every person is different, there are general principles that make most people tick. If we understand these basics or fundamentals, and operate accordingly, we can make our bad relationships good and our good relationships great.
Second to family, friends are the most important relationships we have. Friendships are unique because they are the relationships we have that are almost entirely voluntary. You don’t get to choose your parents or your siblings, but you do get to choose your friends. And so many times we find that these relationships can provide matchless dynamics not found in our other relationships. These especially can, in their own special way, enhance our other relationships.
Remember that your associations, your friends, have an affect on you. So choose your friends wisely. The character flaws that your friends exhibit, if you spend much time with them, will inevitably begin to work their way into your life. The old proverb says, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”
Your friends will be the primary influencers of who you are. Now understand that there are two parts to influence: first, influence is powerful; and second, influence is subtle. You might not let your friends push you off course, but you might let them nudge you off course and not even realize it. So pick good ones. It is also true that if we surround ourselves with good friends we will see their positive aspects rub off on us as well, and make us better people because they are in our lives. So get around people who have something of value to share with you. The impact can be significant.
Here’s to you being happy, healthy and fully alive!
Donna Krech
