Keep good company. Most people acknowledge the fact that we are affected positively and negatively by the people we spend the most time around. Kids are affected by their parents and vice versa, and spouses are affected by one another, as are siblings. We are all affected by the people we work with and by our friends and neighbors.
There are times, of course, when we have little or no control over who we spend our time with -- at work, for example. In these instances, it's often the case that we simply have to make the best of it. The same is sometimes true with certain family members. You spend time with them not only because you love them, but simply because they are family -- you have no acceptable alternative.
There are other times, however, when we have absolute control over who we spend our time with. For example, our friends and people we invite into our homes and talk with on the telephone. [Carlson, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff -- with your family]
There are times, of course, when we have little or no control over who we spend our time with -- at work, for example. In these instances, it's often the case that we simply have to make the best of it. The same is sometimes true with certain family members. You spend time with them not only because you love them, but simply because they are family -- you have no acceptable alternative.
There are other times, however, when we have absolute control over who we spend our time with. For example, our friends and people we invite into our homes and talk with on the telephone. [Carlson, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff -- with your family]