How many times have you heard that you need to get people out of your life that suck? Look around...They still there?
Statements are only cliché when they're not acted on. And there's a reason you've heard something a million times. It's not because it's simply cliché, though it can become that if it isn't acted upon, but it's because it's true.
You'll be hard-pressed to listen to any popular speakers or pastors and not hear them mention somewhere within the span of their teachings to get around the right people.
Even if you're not a Bible person, the Bible even talks about this. It's a pretty old book, been around for a bit so you have to at least agree that there are some solid truths in there if it's withstood such a long test of time. Or don't, whatever.
Anyway, in 1 Corinthians 15:33 it says, "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" Proverbs 13:20 says, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs also says in chapter 27 verse 17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Even Jesus had a certain clique of homies he ran with and before you think these dudes were all saints from the jump:
Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss for some cash, Thomas doubted everything, they all fell asleep when Jesus faced his most trying hour before he was crucified when he asked them to stay awake with him, and they did a whole bunch of other human things that fall pretty short of saintliness. So these dudes were anything but perfect. Even though they were in the actual physical presence of Jesus.
But what this shows us is that we're not looking for perfect people but people that want to grow in a direction of purpose, service, fulfillment, and the calling they feel has been placed on their heart.
So, you're not looking for someone that's perfect or a group of someone's that are perfect because you wont find them. You're looking for people to surround yourself with that lend to your vision in supportive ways and can expand their own vision by being with you (iron sharpens iron, remember.)
One easy way to tell who you shouldn't have in your life is by sharing your dream with them. If they're anything but encouraging get the hell away from them and don't share it with them again or anyone else that has a similar response.
Believe me when I say that it's hard to dig down deep and find belief in yourself when you feel like God's given you a dream that seems entirely out of reach. But when you add some ankle weights to that by allowing toxic persons in your circle, you're dream will very likely remain unseen. You have an incredibly higher chance of failure than you do success in the company that you keep if that company sucks.
It's kind of incredible the level of disrespect we allow others to show us when we think it's love. Don't get confused here. If you're being torn down and ripped apart, called out on every fault, and find yourself the target of someone's hateful spew of baseless rhetoric... take out the trash.
I guess what I'm really trying to say is that there are just some shitty people out there and if you step in that kind of shit, clean your shoes off as quick as you fucking can.
My new book Dads, Kiss Your Sons is out now!
It's available wherever you buy books!
"It’s a call an entire generation of fathers probably needs to hear."
