Stretching Season

If you are the smartest person in the room, be sure to hang in other rooms. Yes, rooms where people are more educated on various subject matters. What’s one of the most common ways we gain knowledge? It’s from someone else. Assess your circles. What’s the subject matter? Do any of them stretch you? Do any of them challenge you to research more or jog curiosity? Are there ideas in the room? Does this room contribute to your growth? What positive influence does this room have on you?

Healthy relationships promote peace, good decision making and a passion for intentional living. When you are surrounded by those who are driven, self assured, and smart it is contagious. You’ve heard the saying birds of a feather flock together. It is true that you become who you hang around. Do you wonder why you have the habits that you cannot break? Perhaps, it is because there is no accountability and it is the standard among your circle. Is there any discomfort? Is there value in the friendships that you possess? Do you add value? Are you encouraged to become your best just by being in their presence?

Stretch yourself to your fullest potential by centering yourself around those who you genuinely care about, but you can learn from them and I’m sure there are matters that they may learn from you as well. Stacy Abrams discussed in her book, Minority Leader, how she was recruited into Telluride Association Summer Program. She was totally out of her comfort zone living amongst brainiacs. She said one young lady had written a book of poems and it served as intimidation because she’d only written a few poems for articles at her school. Think about that, Stacy was the smartest one within her circle, but once she attended a prestigious program she was exposed to those who thought beyond what she has been doing, which were amazing contributions within her territory. Now she was aware of what more she could pursue. She was uncomfortable and fearful. She wanted to go home, but her parents refused because they knew it would stretch her thinking, pull out her potential and shape her into the leader she was destined to become. Like Stacy, we all have gifts to give to the world, so let us not neglect the opportunity to enhance that gift so that we may continue to advance the industry that we have been purposed to shape. So much love to you all.