You are what you meet

Whilst I can’t spell it very easily, I read a lot of psychology stuff. I love learning about how our minds work, because our mind is an unbelievable tool that’s capable of stupidly powerful feats ((And it’s also capable of stupidly powerful feats of stupidity, but that’s probably for another time. This post is partly influenced by my current reading, You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney. It’s brilliant.)).

One area that interests me a lot is group thinking, or collective consciousness. Humans are social creatures, and we desperately try to fit in with people. When we spend extended periods of time with a particular group of people, we start to develop collective norms, ideals and general paradigms.

That can be great, if you’re a person who keeps good friends, or who has the ability to spot good people. Some people aren’t so lucky.

Remember those people at high school who were nice people, but just hung out with the wrong people? Tragic, wasn’t it? They’re probably still in the same situation right now, living a life that isn’t as good as it could be. They’re entire life has been made worse by their choice of friends.

Sad isn’t it? I was thinking about some old high school acquaintances today, and wondering how their lives might be now. Hopefully they’re much better than I imagine.

I’m not just talking about keeping company with bad people either. I’m talking about people who have a negative impact on your life in any way.

They could be people who see the world negatively. These people aren’t bad really, but they’ll bring you down to their dystopian view of the world.

Maybe even if it’s somebody who just doesn’t do anything. Hanging around with people who aren’t doing anything with their lives isn’t usually good for you either.

Surround yourself with good people, and your life will be better.