I find it to be human nature that we tend to adopt the main characteristics of those around us. It’s why my parents were so adamant about who we chose as friends, it’s easy to wallow and be lazy when that’s who you spend your time with. Surrounding oneself with high energy, smart thinking people definitely rubs off.
In high school, I went thru intense grieving for a nun whom I adored, who died. A good friend told me that each person you interact with rubs off on you and lives within you. So they still live as long as their changes are in you. It hit me that that was true when you interact with bad people, as well. Which reinforced my intense need to avoid bad people and stay only with those I think of as good. (Take a bow, dear friends.)
Well said. The expression I remember hearing as I was growing up:
Show me your friends, and I’ll show you who you are.