Make Waves!

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. — Jim Rohn

That makes perfect sense. With that in mind, it becomes crucial to be intentional about who we allow into our daily orbit. Of course, some negative energy is unavoidable—we'll encounter it in passing, at work, or even within our families. In those moments, I try to create a kind of filter or barrier for my subconscious. I work to recognize the negativity for what it is—not mine—and then flip it into something more positive, if only for my own well-being. And if I'm lucky, maybe I can even help dissolve a bit of their darkness too.

Looking at my own life—my closest circle—I feel immensely blessed. Somehow, whether by divine arrangement or pure grace, I’ve been gifted with extraordinary friends in both places I call home. These dazzling women are cherished companions who feed my spirit, challenge my thinking, and show up with consistent, beautiful energy. I didn’t set out to find them—they were placed along my path. And while I do my best to match the love and light they give, it's hard to measure up when you hold someone in such high esteem. Still, I try.

When I’m not rushing, and I find myself in front of someone who tends to go unnoticed—or avoided—I try to pause. I try to put on compassion like a cloak and reach through whatever armor separates us as “strangers.” Maybe the nudge to connect is meant for them. Maybe it’s meant for me. Either way, I try to respond with kindness, to acknowledge the human being in front of me. Worthy. Seen. Maybe it shifts something in them—a moment, a mood, or even a mindset.

I learned this from my sweet neighbor. She’s always reaching out, always offering her time, her warmth, her presence. Her example makes me want to be better. Her kindness ripples outward, touching people she may never meet. It’s remarkable.

The photo I included here? I took it after tossing a rock into the pond in our neighborhood. I’d come across a quote in a book that stuck with me: The rock hits bottom long before the ripple of the waves play out. That image inspired a wired art piece I dreamed up as a gift for my neighbor—because her ripple is still expanding, touching lives beyond what she can see.

Kindness is like that.

But here’s the warning: the ripple effect goes both ways. So be mindful of what you put into the world.