What could be done to avoid toxic friends?

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Humans are social beings and products of association. We always want the company of another who complements us, who help us see life in another perspective or who would help us become better. Its a good thing though as we get all the love and support we want from them. But Sometimes, we could have the opposite of what we want to ourselves. That is toxic friends.

By toxic friends, I mean people whose association or presence could be harmful. Someone who could influence your decisions and perspective about a subject the wrong way and make you do things that otherwise you wouldn't want to do. Someone who keeps releasing negative energies. So, Instead of our lives to become better and improve, it begins to deteriorate and we keep wondering why. The truth of the matter is that you are not different from the people you are always seen with.

So if you don't want a toxic friend, there are certain things you can do.

1. Ask. Yes ask yourself this question and be sincere about your answer. Am I toxic? Our association mirror us. The saying show me your friend and I'll tell you who you are still holds true. Eliminating toxic friendship begins with you. If you can work on you, then you would attract the right people to yourself. In life, you attract who you are and not who you want. For people to come together, it means they share certain things in common. Maybe they share similar interests, like same sports or have same perspective about life. So if you keep attracting toxic friends to yourself, it means that there is some element of toxicity in you. So, begin by flushing out that toxic chemicals from the way you talk, the things you do, the way you think and what you think about and slowly, you would find that you are no longer comfortable in their circle. Its either you become a repellent to them or the other way round.

2. Change. A lot of persons are afraid to make changes because change brings discomfort. Nobody really likes to leave their comfort zone but if you must make progress, then you have to accept and be open to change. You should change your circle. If you notice that everyone around you are toxic, they make you go places you don't want to go, it's important that you change your friends. Break out of their circle otherwise, you will not be a better you. Don't be afraid of the things you will lose when you make changes. Be excited about the things you could gain.

3. Connect. Connect with the right energy. Nature abhors vacuum. If you displace the wrong friends, it is important that you replace it with the right ones. Otherwise, you may be compelled or forced to go back to them. If you stay in the company of certain people often, gradually you start to talk, think and act like them because they keep releasing energies and energies are contagious whether positive or negative. Choose your energy carefully. Make sure it is a positive one.

4. Choice. Don't let your friends choose you. Choose your friends. This is your life, live it cos there may be no second chances. It is your game, play it. Choose who comes around you. Choose who joins your circle. You have to be deliberate in your choice and decisions about who comes into your world. Life does not happen by chance. It happens by choice. Make that choice and take a walk towards the people whose company you'd rather keep.

It is important that we are pointed in the right direction if we must get to our desired destination. Be selective in who you choose because they can determine whether you arrive your destination faster, slowly or never.