“It is much easier to hold ourselves in the true consciousness when we are associated with those who think as we do.”
Charles Fillmore
Studies have shown that who you surround yourself with influences your behavior. What kind of individuals do you spend the most time with? Are they positive or negative? Do they share the same interests? Are they a good influence on you? These are important questions to ask yourself as you go about your daily activities and plan your future. How we spend our time in a spiritual way is also an important aspect of our lives. Finding a spiritual community for guidance, strength, and peace can be inside of a building, church, and/or in our own minds. We all need a support system to nurture us when we need it, and to confirm our actions along the way. I know I do.
And for me, one of my support systems includes the Rotary organization, and specifically The Rotary Club of Amelia Island Rotary. The Rotary motto is “service above self” – and it is wonderful when like-minded individuals come together weekly to discuss and execute community service projects. It takes my mind off my own problems or situations and helps me focus on the needs of others.
Rotary also promotes and uses a Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do:
- 1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all CONCERNED?
3. Will it BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Is it BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?
What type of communities do you currently belong to, or want to be part of in the future? When we give unselfishly to others, we receive more good in our own lives. When we surround ourselves with like-minded people, and ones that help inspire us to succeed in life, our experiences become more positive, enriching, and powerful.