Associations, a Glimpse of Your Future

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. ­– C.G. Jung  

A human being is a relational being. We are not designed to live isolated lives. For a person to develop appropriately he or she needs people. It may be possible to develop your gifts and talents in isolation but to develop character, which is in essence the real you, you must to be a part of a human community. 
        We are all peculiar. No other person is exactly like you. You have your interests and disinterests, likes and dislikes, good and not-so-good. If you are left on your own your peculiarities will tilt your life to the extreme on one direction. It is like our solar system. The sun pulls on the planets and the planets pull away while at the same time pulling on each other. This keeps them moving in the right orbit. So, other peculiar people bring balance and stability to your life.

By observation you see that, “Birds of a feather flock together,” stretches it's relevance to people. Do a careful assessment of your friends and close associations and you will be struck by the close character resemblance you share with them. It is important to know that your associations do not only reflect who you are but, to a large extent, determine the person you are becoming. So, if you want to predict your future, choose the type of friends you keep company with.

To decide your associations you must clearly understand where you want to end up. Your destination determines the type of company you keep and to what degree you keep them. Also, you need to evaluate your present and potential associations and determine correctly what sort of relationship they are.

In addition you will need to know how to severe from harmful association  while, at the same time, preserving the fabric of the persons dignity intact. Some associations may not need to be completely severed but rather redefined to a shallower dimension. Finally, you must know how to choose and define prospective associations in exact relation to the phase you are in your success journey.

I would, in the next few articles expound on each of these aspects of human association.