Perhaps no greater indicator of success is best identified by the company you keep.

Think about it.
If your friends are into school...you will likely be into school.
If your friends are responsible...you will likely be responsible.
If your friends are wealthy...you will likely be wealthy.

Similarly the list is endless that has negative associations.
If your friends do drugs...you will likely do drugs.
If your friends are smoking...you likely will be a smoker.
If your friends are dishonest...you will likely be dishonest.

So why is this so powerful a determinant?

If has been said, "Birds of a feather---flock together."
Teachers will tell you that if a new "bad" student arrives at school...by the end of the day he will have found his or her "bad friends".  It is like they are comfortable with each other.  They understand each other.   How does this so easily happen.

A favourite Proverbs says: Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens the wits of another.  It is likened to  peer pressure that can either be positive or negative.  Positive peer pressure could be sharpening in that it encourages you to "lift more than your comfort zone" in the Gym.  Whereas negative peer pressure would be to cheat on an exam as all your friends are.

From this we can take from it that our relationships can sharpen us for good...or for bad.  So who is sharpening you?  Is that friend sharpening you for "good"?  

The big learning here is that it seems like we are in the drivers seat on this one.  We get to choose who we get to hang-out with.  We know the people who are good for us and we know the ones we should stay away from.  We are chooser's ---- we get to choose and therefore we must choose wisely...as its resultant effect on us will be great...either for good or for bad.

Lots actually.

Consider the Tsunami of 2005 that hit Indonesia...places like Puket became household names on that fated day.  Many people died that day...that need not have had they been able to understand the signs and then take appropriate action.

But first lets consider the concept of "drawback"  (click on the link to review it before you go further)

Essentially, all the water on the beach is 'drawn back' and for a short period of time the seabed is open to view.  You can see the bare seabed which was underwater only minutes ago.  Many find this intriguing and go out onto the seabed to explore...not knowing of the impending danger that will soon beset them.  Even more sad is that many tourists will ask the locals..."what is all this about".  They too, were unable to interpret what is happening.   In the picture attached to this entry is a shot of family that were unable to interpret the times...they went exploring when they should have been seeking higher ground.

Leaders of all roles and responsibilties, whether it be in the home or in business or government...must be able to interpret the signs of the times and make decisions that will make a safe harbour for their followers.

The tsunami did not arrive without first providing some "signs" that it was coming.  Many "signs" today announce that change is coming (like the "drawback") but will we be wise enough to interpret them or will we miss it and risk losing our lives and those we lead?

What are the warning signs that you need to heed?

What are the warning signs that our society needs to heed?

What you going to do today about it?