Iron Sharpens Iron...

"Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

If there's an area of your life in which you're dull, change your associations in that area and watch the difference it makes! This is what I'm living right now. God has blessed me to come into the acquaintance of some really sharp people these days. They are all sharpening me, expanding me and knocking off the rough areas in my life. Most of them probably don't even know it. They are all incredible and I am grateful...too many people to list.

Here's what I've learned...

Need to lose weight? Spend more time with slender people. Pay attention to how they live, walk (generally faster), eat (amount and food choices) and exercise (taking the stairs instead of the elevator)...for example. If you can't spend time with them, at least watch them shop. What's in their basket at the supermarket versus yours? There's an a-ha! moment in there. Take a look at your surroundings the next time you go to a buffet or fast food restaurant. How do the people look?

Need to earn more money? Spend more time with people who earn more and save more than you do. How are they prioritizing their time? How are they employing their gifts and skills? How do their habits contrast with those who aren't getting ahead financially? What have their career choices been? How did they get into the field? Ask them some questions and you'll learn a lot. They'll be impressed that you're asking and you'll both walk away benefited. Trust me. Here's a key: what kind of language do they use? Do they live life or let life "happen" to them? You'll experience another a-ha! moment.

Dissatisfied with your relationships? How do the happily married people you know relate to one another? What do they value in a partner? How do their actions and attitudes contrast with those who aren't living the kind of life you want to have? I'd be willing to bet that the things most single people consider "dealbreakers" or things they "don't put up with" won't appear on the Top 20 of most married people. They've learned what's important and what just isn't worth stressing over. Their list of what isn't important is typically much longer than their list of what is.

One thing I've learned about money, for instance, is that people who earn more money and keep more of what they earn are those who TALK ABOUT MONEY. Poorer people avoid talking about money, but instead prioritize entertainment and gossip as preferred subjects. Spend some time around people who are prospering and you'll see what I mean. The wealthy will openly discuss their savings plans, balances, credit scores, strategies, successes and even their struggles whether current or past. When I started moving in more affluent circles, I was first shocked at how different their conversations were as contrasted with my less wealthy friends.

Solomon reminded us this way. He said "He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20 (NASB)) Indeed he was a wise man.