The Company You Keep

Sometimes your circle decreases in size but increases in value.

Unknown

In our community we are truly lucky ducks. We have our recovery tools and our faith perspective to challenge and inspire us to constantly grow and learn new ways of being in the world. One of the first pieces of advice given to people in need of recovery is to change people, places and things.

The founders of mutual aid societies like AA knew from experience that early in recovery it was not safe to hang out with people and in places associated with using. This organization has done a great job of giving us short phrases to help us remember wise principles. If mutual aid societies are not your jam, the book of Proverbs provides the same advice.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Proverbs 1:32-33 NIV

No matter where you find support and encouragement for transformation, this simple, basic advice is always on target. Stay alert. Maybe notice what kind of friend you are to others and consider what kind of friend others are to you. Sometimes we need to make changes that will help us and others continue on the path of transformation. Are we living in support of our values? Are the people we surround ourselves with living in ways that challenge us to keep challenging ourselves through much needed self-reflection?