Evaluating Your Associations by Jim Rohn

I’d like for us to take a look at the power of influence in our lives and how it is possible to be nudged off course a little at a time until finally, we find ourselves asking, "How did I get here?"
We should ask ourselves three key questions:

1) "Who am I around?" You've got to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.

2) "What are these associations doing to me?" That's a major question to ask. “What have they got me doing, listening to, reading, thinking and feeling?” You've got to make a serious study of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.

3) "Is that okay?" Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing influence. Then again, maybe there are some bad apples in the bunch. All I'm suggesting here is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.

Only then can we discuss three ways to handle associations or relationships that are holding you back.

1) Disassociate. This is not an easy decision, nor something you should take lightly, but in some cases it may be essential. You may just have to make the hard choice not to let certain negative influences affect you anymore. It could be a choice that preserves the quality of your life.

2) Limited association. Spend major time with major influences and minor time with minor influences. It is easy to do just the opposite, but don't fall into that trap. Take a look at your priorities and your values. We have so little time at our disposal. Wouldn't it make sense to invest it wisely?

3) Expanding your associations. This is the one I suggest you focus on the most. Find other successful people that you can spend more time with. Invite them to lunch (pick up the tab) and ask them how they have achieved so much or what makes them successful. Now, this is not just about financial success; it can be someone who you want to learn from about having a better marriage, being a better parent, having better health or a stronger spiritual life.

It is called association on purpose—getting around the right people by expanding your circle of influence. And when you do that, you will naturally limit the relationships that are holding you back. Give it a try and see for yourself.

What you have just seen, you will never forget.

His name is Bill.  He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes.  This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.  He became a Christian while attending college.  Across the street from the campus is a very conservative church where the members are well-dressed.  They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there.  He walks in wearing jeans, his T-shirt with the holes, and his wild hair.  The service has already started so he starts down the aisle looking for a seat.  The church is completely packed and he can’t find a spot.

By now, the people are beginning to look at him and watch his progress down the

TEN GUIDELINES FROM GOD

1. QUIT WORRYING:

Life has  dealt you a blow and all you do is sit

and worry. Have you forgotten  that I am here

to take all your burdens and carry them for you? 

Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little

thing that  comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: 

Something needs done or taken care of. Put it

on the list.  No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY

to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take  care

of the problem. I can't help you until you turn

it over  to Me. And although My to-do-list

is long, I am after all... God. I  can take care

of anything you put into My hands. In fact,

if  the truth were ever really known, I take

care of a lot of things for  you that you never

even realize.

3. TRUST ME:

Once  you've given your burdens to Me,

quit trying to take them back. Trust  in

Me. Have the faith that I will take care of

all your  needs, your problems and your trials.

Problems with the kids? Put them  on My list.

Problem with finances? Put it on My list. 

Problems with your emotional roller coaster?

For My sake,  put it on My list. I want to

help you. All you have to do is ask. 

4. LEAVE IT  ALONE:

Don't wake up one morning and say,

"Well, I'm feeling  much stronger now, I think

I can handle it from here." Why do you  think

you are feeling stronger now? It's simple.

You gave Me  your burdens and I'm taking

care of them. I also renew your strength 

and cover you in my peace. Don't you

know that if I give you  these problems back,

you will be right back where you started? 

Leave them with Me and forget about

them. Just let Me do my  job.

5. TALK  TO ME:

I want you to forget a lot of things.

Forget what was  making you crazy.

Forget the worry and the fretting because 

you know I'm in control. But there's one

thing I pray you  never forget. Please, don't

forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! 

I want to hear your voice. I want you to

include Me in on  the things going on in your life.

I want to hear you talk about your  friends

and family. Prayer is simply you having

a  conversation with Me. I want to be your

dearest friend. 

6. HAVE FAITH: 

I see a lot of things from up here that you

can't see from  where you are. Have faith in

Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; 

you wouldn't want the view from My eyes.

I will continue to  care for you, watch over you,

and meet your needs. You only have to  trust Me.

Although I have a much bigger task than you,

it  seems as if you have so much trouble just

doing your simple part. How  hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:

You were taught to  share when you were

only two years old. When did you forget? 

That rule still applies. Share with those who are

less  fortunate than you. Share your joy with

those who need  encouragement. Share your

laughter with those who haven't heard any  in

such a long time. Share your tears with those

who have  forgotten how to cry. Share your faith

with those who have none. 

8. BE PATIENT: 

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime

you could have  so many diverse experiences.

You grow from a child to an adult, have  children,

change jobs many times, learn many trades, 

travel to so many places, meet thousands

of people, and  experience so much. How can

you be so impatient then when it takes  Me

a little longer than you expect to handle

something on  My to-do-list? Trust in My

timing, for My timing is perfect. Just 

because I created the entire universe in

only six days,  everyone thinks I should

always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:

Be kind  to others, for I love them just

as much as I love you. They may not  dress

like you, or talk like you, or live the same way

you  do, but I still love you all. Please try

to get along, for My sake.  I created each

of you different in some way. It would be  

too boring if you were all identical.

Please, know I love  each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As  much as I love you, how can you not

love yourself? You were created  by me for

one reason only -- to be loved, and to love

in  return. I am a God of Love. Love Me.

Love your neighbors. But also  love yourself.

It makes My heart ache when I see you

so  angry with yourself when things go

wrong. You are very precious to  me.

Don't you ever forget that......

Note: I received this from a  friend and I have

no idea who wrote it, but I was so touched 

by it, that I had to share it with you.

I hope that you  will be blessed by

it and will share it with others. 

Touch  someone with your love.

Rather than focus upon the thorns of life, 

smell the roses and count your blessings!