Wellness Weds: The Dream Team

This Wellness Wednesday post is from the mind of Jessica, the visionary behind Raw Food Nation:

I was surfing around the many facets of cyberspace when I happened upon a really great quote by Naomi Watson, a DC based model-to-be on the rise, shooting for the moon and landing amongst the stars. She says “if I say it’s my dream to live on the moon, I want my true friends to suggest fashionable spacesuits!” WOW! Immediately I knew I loved these words, so simple, with a twist of humor; so practical, and yet the underlying message is quite clear. You are the company that you keep. Are you surrounded by people who mutually support and uplift each other in their endeavors? When you tell your friends about your hopes and dreams or what you would like to accomplish, do they provide words of encouragement, or do they tell you the many reasons why it might not work out and can’t be done?

In a world full of challenges, obstacles and adversity, it is more important now than ever before to have your friends behind you and supporting your endeavors. Positive people help your self confidence because they tend to see the potential in you, even when you might not see it in yourself. Those with negative view points, on the other hand, will hinder your self confidence because they tend to reinforce your self doubt and any negative thoughts you may have.

Surround yourself with positive people and you’ll become more positive and self confident. The good vibes and energy that is exchanged between you will stay with you and help you to carry out your personal goals and aspirations. Surround yourself also with people who will hold you accountable for what you want to do. For example, if you say “I would really like to buy a house in a year,” you need to have someone you trust who can gently or firmly remind you to start researching local real estate agents in your area.

When I think about the people that I have or want to have in my corner, I immediately think of creating my own dream team, my own posse, or for our readers who are into sports, my own fantasy football team. Take a moment to contemplate and ask yourself: if I could choose the people I want in my inner circle who will motivate me, inspire me, and hold me accountable, who would they be? If I could choose people where there would be a constant, mutual exchange of positive energy and reinforcement, who would those people be? If you do not have these people in your life in one form or another already, seek them out. If you do have them in your life, bring them closer into your circle of trust. You want people who will accept you for who you are, but are willing to challenge you, in a positive and constructive manner, to excel and to become successful.

Then make it your responsibility to create those situations that will foster that special dose of positive energy that you need. By that I mean, perhaps once a month (or more) meet up with a couple of those people over dinner for conversation and catching up with each others lives. Be proactive about making plans to hang out with these people, not always for serious conversation but just for the sheer joy of enjoying their company. Remember your mood and attitude are your responsibility, just as last week we said your happiness is your responsibility. With that in mind, what steps can you take to make sure you get ample exposure to good energy?

And then the more challenging question is: are you love people with negative outlooks any less? No, in fact some of them maybe in your immediate circle of friends or in your immediate family. However, we must acknowledge the roles that people play in our lives and then be proactive about what we do with that knowledge. For example, you should take note of how you feel after interacting with certain people. As you start out with this self evaluation technique, you should consider setting boundaries and limiting your time around negative people. You should also consider what you say around people with negative outlooks (for example, you wouldn’t tell a person with a negative outlook that your dream is to one day own your own business, they will certainly tell you how it cannot be done). In several instances, they are thinking about their own personal experiences and situations and not yours.

Others may tell you to end these relationships immediately, but we have a more compassionate approach. In the long run, as you bring more positive people into your circle and you become more positive, you will surely attract positive people into your life. Good energy attracts good energy, and the further along the path of enlightenment you go, you’ll find just the right people crossing paths with you.

Now it’s your turn. What steps can you take to be a positive person who radiates good energy throughout her/his aura, and then what steps can you take to develop your own dream team? We send out good vibes all the time on Twitter, and would be more than happy to be a part of your crew. Be sure to join our nation.

Resources:
Surround Yourself With Positive People in 2009 http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/bud-bilanich/success-common-sense/surround-yourself-positive-people-2009

By rawfoodnation Tags: dream team, goals, positive energy, positive people, self confidence
Posted in Lifestyle Tips, Wellness Weds | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Wellness Weds: The Dream Team”

1. admin says:

   August 26, 2009 at 4:43 pm

   Another thought, think of it as your Fave Five (like for your wireless cell phone plan). If you could pick 5 people to be in your circle, who would they be.

   [Reply]
2. Raw.la - Raw Food in The News and Around The Web says:

   August 26, 2009 at 4:45 pm

   [...] Wellness Weds: The Dream Team [...]
3. mika says:

   August 27, 2009 at 5:55 am

   these posts are great! thanks for this great website – it really showcases all aspects of the raw foods lifestyle, which is more than just food. vibrant health is created from not just what we put into our bodies…it is also created by our attitudes towards ourselves, other living creatures, our planet, etc. love the “fave five” thought too

   [Reply]
4. Andrea D says:

   August 28, 2009 at 9:39 am

   Hey, I know women who are into fantasy football. Not me, personally, but some friends and coworkers. It’s not just your male readers.

   [Reply]

   

   admin Reply:
   August 28th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

   Good point! Thank you for acknowledging that being into fantasy football is not gender specific.

   [Reply]
5. Andrea says:

   August 28, 2009 at 9:41 am

   Part of the problem with a Dream Team, for me, is that the people I love the most are the least likely to be supportive of something like this. I’m slowly introducing myself to a raw foods diet, and while my boyfriend looks on with a bemused expression, I can guarantee that family will scoff. And scoff a lot. Partly from a sense of being threatened, I would imagine, but it isn’t helpful.

   [Reply]

   

   admin Reply:
   August 28th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

   Hi Andrea, a lot of raw foodies start off feeling kind of alone as they embark upon their journey. I know some raw foodies who’s immediate families are not aware of their lifestyle change. The goal for you might be to acknowledge that you are not getting the right kinds of support from the people who are currently in your life, and then seek out ways in which you can get that support. Check out meetup.com and see if there is a local raw food or vegan group that meets up near you for starters, maybe also consider going on a wellness retreat or joining a volunteer organization. We truly do believe and know from experience that the more you own up to your journey and put yourself out there, the more you will find like minded people who are willing to support you and provide you with the good energy you need. Wishing you much success on your journey!

   [Reply]
6. Wellness Weds: Power of Positive Thinking « Raw Food Nation says:

   October 13, 2009 at 7:40 pm

   [...] yourself with positive people. We have a great article on this, The Dream Team, where we talk about the importance of having the right people in your life and seeking out these [...]