“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV)
Birds of a feather flock together.
Flock is “a number of birds of one kind feeding, resting, or traveling together.” Whoever your “flock” is affects who you are. The people in your life influence you. If they are making good decisions, they will help you make good decisions. The opposite also applies. Choose who you surround yourself with each day. You control who you spend time with, how much time you spend with them, and the effect they have on you. In other words, create boundaries.
Boundaries are key to healthy relationships. Therapistaid.com defines personal boundaries like this:
Personal boundaries are the limits and rules we set for ourselves within relationships. A person with healthy boundaries can say “no” to others when they want to, but they are also comfortable opening themselves up to intimacy and close relationships.
Boundaries take work. This free worksheet from the site can help you set healthy limits. Every day, you have to set some type of boundaries. Because of COVID, interest in tennis has risen. If I wanted too, I could teach private lessons every day of the week. However, working everyday isn’t healthy for me mentally or physically. In order to maintain a healthy work/home life balance, I must set boundaries. Once I set them, I must stick to them. Currently, I have black out times on my calendar. The reserved spots are for family and friends, I don’t book lessons during those time periods.
Healthy boundaries means healthy life.
Allow yourself to set boundaries. You can say no to spending time with people who bring you down. Instead, say yes to people who lift you up and encourage you. Intentionally develop those relationships in your life. Identify people who have a positive influence, build those relationships.
In tennis, in order to become a better player you need three types of practice partners. One player is stronger, one is the same, one weaker than you. Stronger players force you to rise to the next level of your game. The same level player allows you to practice shots and patterns to improve your game. Playing against a weaker player allows you to work on shots you don’t have confidence to use against stronger players. Just like tennis, we need three types of people in our lives.
We need mentors. People who have life experience that help us grow. We need friends. People who walk beside us, traveling through life together, supporting each other along the way. And we need people who we mentor. People who your life experience can help them with theirs.
Birds of a feather flock together. You have the ability to pick the flock. Choose wisely the flocks you develop.
Question of the Day:
Have you done an inventory of your flock lately?
Further Reading: Job 12-15NIV, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58 NIV, Psalm 39:1-13 NIV, Proverbs 21:30-31 NIV
