Ok so I’m having one of those days. September proved to be a particularly challenging month for me/us and it looks like it’s leaked over some of its leftovers into today. The car problems are pretty much worked out (I was overwhelmed with the number of people who offered us temporary vehicles to drive. Your generosity knows no bounds) and we actually had some unexpected income trickle in today *YAY!*. The bottom line is that we all go through discouraging times, even a Pollyanna eyed optimist like me. And in the end it’s what you choose to do in those situations that can really color your reality. Most importantly, you need to think about the voices you allow into your life and how they influence you.
Now, I’m not talking about the voices in your head (Lord knows I’ve got enough of those, too) but I’m talking about he people you allow to speak into your life – friends, confidants, significant others, family to some degree, etc. Dave Ramsey has a line that’s a little gritty but I still love to repeat it – “You wouldn’t ask a fat person for dieting advice, why would you ask a broke person for financial advice?” And it rings true in so many other situations. Be careful who you allow to counsel you. Be careful with the company you keep. Be aware of the influences pouring into your brain and spirit everyday.
For instance, in college I hung out with this very sweet gal. She was fun to be around, had a bit of popularity that I had always grasped for but never received, and she knew some cute boys. However, she tended to spend $ like wildfire. Every weekend, we went out to eat and then shopping and she dropped cash like no one I had ever seen. Keep in mind I wasn’t even living with a debt free mentality yet, but I still had my boundaries. In the end, I tapered off the friendship. I still think the world of her. She was never anything but nice to me but I knew that allowing her to “speak” into my life was going to lead to trouble because my bank account didn’t match up to hers.
Whether it’s a close relationship, a casual acquaintance, or friend, today decide who you’re going to truly listen to with your life. Granted you might not be able to eliminate a significant other or family member but you can limit your contact with them OR control the conversations that you do have. And for those of you reading who are family members or friends, don’t sweat it I’m not talking about you. 😉 It’s a bit vague, I know but I have been allowing someone I don’t really even know to dampen my spirits lately and today I’m done wit it, yo.
Movin’ On, Breathing Deep, and Keeping My Face Pointed Toward the Sun,
www.queenoffree.net
