I have never forgotten hearing many years ago that we become who we surround ourselves with. Statistically, we become like the five people we spend the most time with. Have you noticed that when you spend a lot of time around certain people, you pick up some of their habits? You start sounding like friends, eating like friends, and maybe even dressing like friends.
My grandmother has said, “Tell me who you are with, and I’ll tell you who you are.” Similarly, to what Goethe said, “Tell me with whom you consort and I will tell you who you are; if I know how you spend your time, then I know what might become of you.”
Are you being challenged to pursue your goals, to have dreams, to have joy, and to live your best life?
Throughout my life, I’ve had people in my five who have led me closer to my faith and have encouraged virtue, healthy eating, enjoyment of life, confidence, goal setting, community, leading by example, and much more. I know that I couldn’t have passed my statistics exam and gotten into college without one friend. I couldn’t have started this blog without another friend. My faith has been impacted by several of my five. I laugh so hard that tears are a byproduct because of my five. I know that life is a little sweeter with my five. I’ve become who I am because of my five throughout my life.
As a Catholic, I admire the saints who lived lives close to Christ. I’m sure that their relationship to God and their faith was always part of their five. I see how their closeness to Christ encouraged courage, sacrifice, love, boldness, and a life that was transformative to others. Not only were they great but they had good fives around them. I know Mother Teresa’s Mom prohibited gossip, St. Monica prayed for St. Augustine for 20+ years, and St. Pio’s confessor Fr. Rutilio was amazing and wrote the surrender novena.
In life, there are sometimes friends for seasons. I’d say making sure that our 5 are uplifting and leading us closer to Imago Dei would be a good goal to have. Nipsey Hustle has a great quote, “If you look at the people in your circle and you don’t get inspired. Then you don’t have a circle. You have a cage.”
You are worth having a solid five and it will change who you become! If there aren’t encouraging people in your five, I’d invite you to look more into giving yourself the gift of seeking uplifting friendships and rebuilding your top 5. Maybe you can start building your five by noticing if there are people who have qualities, hobbies, and goals that you are interested in.
Who are your top 5? Are you being encouraged to become the best version of yourself?
We are made for community and who is in your five will make all the difference!
