If you are going up, there are many people around you now that are not coming with you.
They won’t; it’s not their choice, and that’s ok.
You will have to leave them behind if you are to move forward.
You will have to say no. You will have to spend less time with them.
You will have to break away from their influence and open time for being influenced by other more valuable voices.
It’s not to say you don’t love them/like them or never want to see them again or to burn any bridges at all. You don’t have to make any declaration to anyone.
It’s simply recognizing that where you are is not all there is for you, and improving yourself by how and where you spend your time.
A bit over 10 years ago I identified things within my life that I felt were holding me back from being the Best Version of Myself I could.
I needed to improve.
I set out on a mission to Learn, Grow, Adjust and Improve.
I started listening to audiobooks daily, on a wide variety of topics, motivation, self-improvement and learning new thoughts and ideas about growing overall as a human.
It wasn’t long before my circle of friends were seeing a difference, (honestly that I hadn’t even noticed yet)
Things we used to have in common and talk about often, really didn’t matter to me anymore.
They would tell stories of a weekend full of partying and watching football… while I would be talking about a seminar I attended or a new book I had listened to, or how on Sunday I volunteered at a church to cook a feast for people less fortunate.
Once I took notice of the differences I was concerned. It seems I didn’t have much in common with my friends that I have known for years and years and I was worried that my growth was changing me into somebody that people did not like.
It was so concerning to me that I had a very deep and in depth conversation with one of my great friends and mentor about it.
After hearing me out, he put his arm around my shoulder and chuckled, Growing up is a scary thing he said, but you’re not alone you will come to find new friends who are on the same path as you now and you will inspire them to want to learn and grow.
You will continuously meet new people and provide inspiration to them as they will for you.
Welcome to your next chapter he said.
Although that was many years ago now as I sit here and write this and reflect back on those words…. I can honestly say he was 100% accurate.
And as for the original Circle of Friends, we still get together occasionally and talk about the old days and enjoy our time doing so but they know as well as I, that I’m no longer that person. And that’s a great thing.
And thank you for being a positive influence on so many others lives.
-unusual for me to look athe the lower grey section of TD, but i was behind on mails today.. so read yesterdays, and was really interested to hear readers stories
–> and a big thanks to J. Kay (above) –> really great to read