One of the biggest mistakes that we make as individuals/women is not fully realizing that happiness is an individual choice. Although, every single choice we make is influenced by people in our own personal lives. Whether it be our friends, co-workers, significant other, parents, or anyone in our family. If we make a decision on changing our life influencers for the better, we can dramatically increase our chances for happiness and success.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. – American entrepreneur Jim Rohn.”

With this in mind, think about the people you’re spending time with the same way you think about what you eat and how you’re exercising. It becomes easier for us to work towards filling our lives with people who help us to cultivate healthy and positive relationships. When we surround ourselves with positive people, we clear away the negativity that exists around us and creates more room to welcome nurturing and renewed energy. Doing this not only enriches our lives, but also envelops us in a supportive and healthy space that fosters greater growth, understanding, and love of ourselves- as well as those we care about.

So ladies, choose your friends with care, they create the environment in which you will either thrive or wilt. Give everyone the opportunity to be a friend, but share your dreams and goals only with those who value them as much as you do. People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person, or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die. –Plato

*Here are 5 wonderful reasons why you should surround yourself with positive people*

HAPPINESS IS CONTAGIOUS:

ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FIND HAPPINESS IS TO FIND THOSE WHO KNOW HOW MUCH TO NURTURE AND CREATE THEIR OWN HAPPINESS, AND SHARE IT FREELY. SPEND TIME AROUND THESE PEOPLE AND YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF SEEING THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY.

LAUGHTER IS A GREAT WAY TO BOND WITH OTHERS:

A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH OTHER IS TO SHARE LAUGHTER OR SPEND TIME HAVING FUN WITH THEM. WATCHING HOW SOMEONE REACTS TO A FUNNY SITUATION AND FEELING YOURSELF PULLED INTO THE GOOD HUMOR, IS A GREAT WAY TO BOND AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER.

LESS COMPLAINING IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE:

WE ALL KNOW LIFE CAN BE HARD. WE ALL HAVE OUR STRUGGLES. BUT ISNT IT REFRESHING TO SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO DON’T WASTE TIME AND ENERGY COMPLAINING? YOU CAN ALMOST FEEL YOUR SPIRITS LIFTING AROUND SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO SEE THE GOOD IN THINGS.

LEARN COPING STRATEGIES:

WE ALL HAVE OUR STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH HARD DAYS AND ROUGH TIMES. BUT IT CAN’T HURT TO TAKE INSPIRATION FROM THOSE AROUND YOU. THEY MAY HAVE IDEAS YOU HAVEN’T CONSIDERED. BETTER YET, YOU MIGHT BE INVITED TO JOIN THEM. THEIR EVENING WALKS, FITNESS CLASS, OR BOOKSTORE WANDERINGS MAY EVEN BECOME YOUR NEW FAVORITE OUTLET ON STRESSFUL DAYS.

WE BECOME LIKE THOSE WE KEEP CLOSEST:

THERE IS AN OLD SAYING THAT WE BECOME LIKE THOSE WE CHOOSE TO HOLD CLOSEST. LOOK AROUND AT YOUR INNER CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND CONFIDANTES. ARE THEY WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME? DO YOU ADMIRE AND RESPECT THEM? IF NOT, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHY YOU DONT OPEN YOUR CIRCLE TO NEW INSPIRATION.

I encourage you to take the time to consciously surround yourself with people and women who can create goodness for themselves, and those around them. Take a look around you and see. Then ask yourself this question, are these people a good influence on my life? Why or why not?