“A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.” John Steinbeck
I have learned that who we allow in our lives, in our space, in our hearts, matters. It matters more to our health and our Soul’s light than the food that we eat, the quality of air we breathe, or the vitamins we take. If I want to live, really live, if I want to love myself I must first look to the people I allow to walk by my side.
Yesterday, the man who washed my hair told me he was going to write a book called Wisdom from the Shampoo Bowl. He told me how many great things he learned from the people he serves. As we talked more I learned he was a musician and this was his day job. It soon became clear that he was the foundation upon which many of his musician friends leaned. He was tired by the weight of their pain and uninspired by their presence in his life.
I told him that in my personal life I only surrounded myself with people who loved their lives, who challenged me to be more and who inspired me by the quality of their love. He was quiet for a moment and then simply said, “I have to put that in my book.”
As we shared that moment in time I thought about the people with whom I share my life and was filled with gratitude. So much gratitude that tears rolled down my cheeks.
Yes, it matters with whom we walk this path. Choosing wisely is a way to love ourselves.
