Let’s define association.  It is your relationship with your spouse, your children, your family, your friends, your co-workers, your business associates, the books you read, the music you listen to , the shows you watch on television, the places you visit often, etc.

Anything and everything that can influence your thought process is an association.

As a child, my parents would allow me to hangout with certain kids and disapprove or my association with certain other kids.  Was it similar in your case?  Now, as much as we’d hate to believe, you have got to agree our parents are pretty smart people.  They know the effect of associations.  When we hangout with others, we tend to pick their habits and mannerisms.  It’s a natural human tendency.  Therefore, they made sure we hung out with good kids.

Every association you foster will either feed a strength or a weakness in you.

How can you tell is an association is hurting you?

• You fight with your loved ones on petty little things
• You are not happy
• You get lost in depressing thoughts
• You shy away from your responsbilities
• You feel guilty about doing something, but you do it anyways
• It instills bad habits in you
• You don’t feel worthy of anymore

If an association is hurting you, find out what you need to do to change it.  If a relationship is hurting you, minimize it if you cannot completely eliminate it.  If associating with certain friends is hurting you, get rid of them from your life.  It will be very hard, but it is beneficial for you in the long run.  Sometimes for your friends as well.  If it’s the books, magazines, tv shows, movies or music, change them. Read good books, watch good shows and listen to motivational cds.  Always be on the lookout for associations and activities that add value to your life, not take value away.

How can you tell if an association is helping you?

• You feel better about yourself
• You laugh more often
• You enjoy being around others
• It gives you a sense of fulfillment
• It instills good habits in you
• You feel you deserve everything you have and are thankful for it

Are your associaitons helping you or hurting you?  How do your relationships make you feel?  Do the books you read instill good thoughts in you or bad?  Are the habits you picked up from people around you adding value to your life or taking value away?

And lastly, some food for thought  -  Are you a “good association” or a “bad association” for somebody?

Wishing you success always,
Mayur Gudka