Website design By BotEap.comThis morning while working out at the gym, I overheard a very interesting conversation that reminded me of the very wise old saying that “you are the average of the 5 people you date”. So, there’s a guy at my local gym who’s always using a machine for long periods of time, and I see him often on my workout days. She saw her “gym partner” approaching from the other end of the room and started a “conversation” with him. He complained about how much he drank the day before, and how he still feels like throwing up and that’s why he’s not doing squats today. He went on and on.

Website design By BotEap.com“Gym buddy” then joined in to further complain about his own current job and life aside from the man’s drinking escapades yesterday. The man interrupted “Gym buddy” in the middle of the conversation, realizing that he was no longer talking about him and that he was not ready to listen or offer his two cents, so he asked him out for a ” smoke break.” . “Gym partner” told him, “I’m actually trying to quit smoking. I started yesterday.” The man then looked at him with a long incredulous pause that was half filled with genuine shock, but I can tell he really wanted her to join him for a smoke. So “Gym buddy” made another weak attempt at coaxing him once more, but this time in a much weaker tone, and he again said, “I’m serious. I’m really trying to quit.” The man asked “Why?” as if it was a bad decision and foolish.

Website design By BotEap.comSo this man started telling her his own story about how he tried to quit smoking for 4 (short) weeks suffering the most horrible withdrawal symptoms and then went back to smoking again. Even though there was no real moral or value to his story, he continued to justify and give all the reasons for him to resign with great enthusiasm. Then the “friend from the gym” turned to ask him: “So what happened?” He just told her, “Nothing. I just went back to square one.” “Gym partner” paused for a split second, then said, “Fuck it, let’s go.” And they both started discussing about the brand of cigarette they smoke and suggested to share and split it.

Website design By BotEap.comIn less than 2 minutes of sharing your experience of how you tried to quit smoking and failed (in just 4 weeks), you influenced and convinced another person to give up their goal and intention in less than 24 hours. The scary thing is that he was just an acquaintance who probably ran into each other once a month at the gym. There was a period of time where I really preferred my personalized workouts from home just to leave no opportunity to come in contact with any energy that was negative. I became a “vibration snob.”

Website design By BotEap.comI remember when I started my outdoor runs (and by that I mean my short sprints) strangers would give me funny looks like I had lost my temper. Some even came up to me and told me to slow down. “Don’t run so fast.” Maybe it came with good intentions, but sometimes, the people who offer you the most “opinions and advice” are the ones who aren’t even close to being happy, healthy, or abundant—they’re not even offering their two cents. They are usually the ones who are out of shape, emotionally and mentally bankrupt. Can you imagine if that person was a friend or even a family member, which is often the case, who is constantly discouraging you from change? The good exchange rate? Is there someone in your life that prevents you from becoming the best version of yourself?