“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” says American entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn.
Having faced some of my greatest fears lately, I have learned the importance of surrounding myself with good people.
But what are good people?
Personally I think good people are the ones that inspire me to be a better person, they provide me with motivation to achieve my goals and empower me to make the changes I need to succeed and cheer on my success. Good people are not always similar to me. They have differing perspective that allows me to grow.
Today I thought I’d list my five people I love to spend time with!
1.My Hubby
Kossi has certainly been and is a great company in my life. He is my spouse, my partner in life, my co-parent, and my best friend. Kossi is the one who gets to see every aspect of me! When I’m out there I am very edited! But at home it just me, the good, the bad, the ugly. Though it all he loves me, he is patient with me and he truly believes in my. Without his support, his listening hear and his constant words of affirmation I would not be the woman I am today and I am grateful for him in my life.
2.My business Mentor Stanley
At the beginning of the year I was looking for a mentor to grow my business.
I have known Stanley for a few years and I have always admired his level-head, his patience, the way he carries himself. I was actually surprised when he said yes! On top of having a thriving business, he has a family and other life obligations. But that goes to show the kind of man he is.
So far he’s thought me a few things like not putting all my eggs in the same basket and last week we had a great discussion about surrendering! Has an self-employed person I can easily invest a lot of time in a project relentlessly. Stanley exemplifies the idea that once you have put all your efforts into something, and it doesn’t work, you need to put it to the side and work on something else. I have seen examples in Stanley’s life of how he would put certain things to the side and somehow they would come to life without his direct intervention, life is all about timing!
3.My bestie Malaika
Malaika was my roomate in my first apartment! We became instant friends because we share a love of music. Malaika is the kind of girl my dad would want me to be! She is sweet, compassionate, and very smart. Oh and she is enrolled to be a doctor (my dad’s dream for me).
What inspires me the most about Malaika is her positive spirit. I still have vivid memories of little unexpected blows life through at us back in college and while I was always devastated, she always tried to find the good in everything. For example one year we were living with a roommate who gave us a 2 day notice that she would leave. She left with all the appliances she owned! I was upset beyond reason! Malaika just came up with temporary solutions to make the transition easier. Since it was the beginning of winter she put our food on our balcony, she thought me how to make eggs in the toaster oven and she even got me into lukewarm tea!
Lately I have been so inspired by her journey to becoming a doctor. It’s been everything but easy but through it all she always kept her faith, and joy!
4. My one and only Ghislaine Doté
Ghislaine is the sweetest most hard working person I know. She is a contemporary dancer who’s art I actually understand and respect! We’ve grown very close over the years. Close enough that she’s been proclaimed as the God Mother our my son! She inspires me to dream, to work hard and to never give up. Since like me she is in a field with a lot of competition, we help each other when we are down and we celebrate each others successes. I also like that she keeps things real, there is no faking with her! I love that!
Lately we’ve been having monthly phone meetings to talk about the challenges we are encountering or the victories we have. It’s really great to feel like someone know exactly what you are going through.
5.Me!
OK this sounds kind of creepy and selfish… Let me explain.
In the past year I have learned to become my own best friend. I realized there was a disconnect between the way I talk to my friends when they are down, or when they have good things happening versus the way I talk to myself. I am much harder on myself then anyone on this planet and I decided that had to stop. If I can look at a friend when she’s down and tell her everything is OK and I believe in her why wouldn’t I do the same with myself? If I can genuinely be happy when a friend is successful, and I don’t sit there wondering when the success is gonna come crashing down, why can’t I be the same way with myself?
When there is no one else I want to be able to look inside myself and find compassion, unconditional love and grace.
How about you? Are you well surrounded?
