If you spend any amount of time in public, you will come to see people who seeming struggle each day to find contentment or a happy way of living. It’s generally written across their person. And if you’re like me, you may wonder why some people seem so down while others easily face each day with spirit.
From an early age, I have always adhered to one great universal truth: That your attitude influences the results you will ultimately get in life. While for many this may not be revolutionary in nature for some, but for me, this has been a central thread in the story of my life. I have always strived to not be a sad person alone, like those I remembered in the park growing up. And one of the biggest ways I have made sure to do so was keeping tabs over both my attitude and the attitude of those around me.
For your attitude is a huge big piece of the puzzle of what makes up who and what you are. For when it comes to the level of success you achieve, but so is the attitude of your peers. Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are as well. Maybe you haven’t noticed already, but successful people always tend to hang out together, while unsuccessful folks seem to attract equally like-minded peers.
For me, I’ve always been attracted to those who were different from myself. The artists, the vague, and the different. And despite how different my friends have always been, they have always held one common trait, kindness. I have always made a point of surrounding myself with those who value kindness. A tribe of kindness seeking, positivity-seeking oddballs, as it were.
Whether it be having fun and simply sharing a quick meal, or the hard stuff such as attending a wake or grieving a loss with each other in our times of need, those few whom I have called friends have always shared in the collective of human kindness.
In the few times in my life when I diverged away from my core group, my core beliefs, I always reaped negative results. I mean it’s no surprise that we tend to become just like the those we spend the better part of our time with. When I surrounded myself with those who were always in a negative mood, I found myself being drug down with them. On the other way around, when most of my friends carried an uplifting attitude, I was a better more inspired person. I saw life from a lighter more possible angle. That’s not to say to not go out and make new friends, but to surround yourself with people that hold your core beliefs to be true as well.
And it is this reason that I have created a network of friends who value laughter, perspective, honesty, and kindness in my life. Truth-teller with cozies, as I call them. They have helped me when life has been tough and when days have bleak. When life didn’t seem worth going on for. They were always there to remind me that festering in negativity was only a mask for how fabulous, creative, and worthwhile I truly am. Sometimes the greatest kindness is just helping others take off their mask of self-loathing.
This is just one reason why my tribe rocks. Why after two decades we are still friends. Why even when our relationships change, when friends marry, relocate, take new jobs, move away, we always stay in touch with one another.
As a tribe, we make a point of remaining close through correspondence. We still write letters. We still check on one another. We intentionally cultivate lasting friendships based on kindness. We intentionally continue to get to know who we are as people and as a group as well. We are a tribe of kindness and we know that positive people matter.
So, here are a few more reasons why surrounding yourself with a tribe of positive people matters:
1. Happiness is contagious: One of the best ways to find happiness is to find those who know how to nurture and cultivate their own happiness in their day-to-day lives. And often these same people will also share their kindness with others as well. Spend time around these people and you’ll find yourself seeing the world differently.
2. Laughter bonds the soul: A great way to connect with others is to share laughter. There is no greater kindness than laughing with, and not at others while spending time with them. Watching how someone reacts to a funny situation, not only curates a great, natural sense of good humor, is a great way to bond friendships and relationships for life.
3. Less complaining is a good thing: We all know life can be hard. We all have our struggles. But isn’t it refreshing to spend time with people who don’t waste time and energy complaining? Surround yourself with those who choose to live with an attitude of gratitude can help simply be a better person, friend, spouse, child, parent, and partner.
4. Learn healthy coping strategies: We all have our ways of dealing with hard situations. But it can’t hurt to take inspiration from those around you. They may have ideas you haven’t considered. They may have experience that can help. Sometimes listening can help in more ways than one. Always take a page from how do your upbeat friends deal with hardship.
5. We become like those we are closest to: There’s an old saying that we become like those we choose to hold closest. Look around at your inner circle of friends and confidantes. Are they who you would like to become? Do you admire and respect them? Are they a circle of trusting people? If not, perhaps you should consider why you don’t and open your circle to new inspiration.
6. Self-Care matters: When it comes to positive strides in your life and friendships, sometimes you have to work on the hard stuff alone. And part of doing this is taking care of yourself. Making sure you are healthy, physically, and mentally. You have to nourish the mind, body, and soul daily to live your best life ever.
I remind myself daily to take better care of myself, to cultivate a better, more positive sense of self. For me, it helps to wear pieces that remind me to stay strong and remain true to my core beliefs. To live, and wear my truths, if you will. I think that wearing cute, funky, upbeat accessories reminds me to value kindness, honesty, and loyalty above all things. Personally, I like keeping small, personal affirmations on my person, as well as in my capsule wardrobe each season. I want to make sure kindness is ever present in my life, even in my fashion!
As you can see, I often wear my Cents of Style Tribe necklaces, which state that kindness is my jam. I have also been rocking my expect miracle necklaces. Earlier this year, my husband and I suffered a second-trimester miscarriage, and since that time I have been making positive strides towards better health goals. I’m happy to report that I’ve lost an additional thirty-eight pounds this year and am again on a road to TTC. I haven’t lost sight of my personal goal of expanding our family, and believe that at any time miracles, especially small ones, can happen!
They are an affordable, simple way to remind me to stay true to myself. To always seek kindness from within, in my tribe, and in the world at large. To allow grace, patience, and kindness into my life. These necklaces truly remind me that we can always expect miracles to happen when you place kindness above all other things. These necklaces truly remind me that kindness is my jam.
Today, as part of Fashion Friday, Cents of Style is offering their Tribe Necklaces for only $11.99, shipped free with promotional code TRIBE4 at checkout.
Consider picking up a set for yourself and from those in your tribe as well. And hey, it’s never too early to pick-up a few holiday gift closet staples as well!
So, friends, I say all that to say this: While you should always try your best to surround yourself with people who will help you rise, not hold you down. Find yourself friends who are not just buddies, but mentors. And remember to be a truth-teller and mentor yourself as well. It’s also important to sometimes just surround yourself with positive words and affirmations, too!
So savvy savers, please don’t think my words trite. This post is not full of empty, meaningless platitudes. I truly mean everything I have said. For I know first hand that when you are able to be kind to yourself, and others, and surely positive things will happen for you.
I wish for you all a tribe of like-minded, truth-telling, kindness-first, positive-minded people in your life as well!
Here’s to you,
Please note, this post contains my personal affiliate links. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you!
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