Who are you?

There is his saying “you are who you surround yourself with”.

In Japanese there is a good example of the “rotten mandarin”. There is a rotten mandarin in the same basket (environment) and over time the other mandarins are affected by the mold and will be rotten as well.

So that’s why it’s very important to make sure in which surroundings you put yourself in.

If you have a choice, then choose a positive and encouraging environment in which you can grow and be yourself.

We can also create that atmosphere if you yourself is feeling positive and encouraging as well. I love the experiment, an advertisement in which one person is loudly laughing on the train,

that person’s laugh is so contagious and after a short period of time everyone is laughing too. The atmosphere turned from thinking who is this weirdo laughing to a contagious smile on everyone’s faces. You can really make someone’s day with your positive energy, just like laugh it’s contagious. But it’s good not to have any expectations that others will have to behave or act that certain way, it all be naturally.

If you are conscious and think you might be in a rotten mandarin environment, focus on being your unique self.Don’t let the environment affect you negatively but just be your awesome self and you can see a change over time in the environment. It might not be mentioned by others, but unconsciously but people will recognize that uniqueness and it’s also an invitation to them to be their unique self too.

I once had a situation with a boss that I felt dislikes me and it was hard to work with. During this time, I imagined all the negative aspects of that person and that didn’t really contribute to a good collaboration either.

Instead, I have decided to focus on all the positive aspects and mention it when I really felt the person needed to hear when something went well. Over time our work relationship has improved. Recently I met this person again and it was a friendly hello and some positive small talk too.

It’s all possible, it’s a choice what you are focusing on and how you want your environment/surroundings to be like. Don’t have any expectations and let it unfold naturally. 

I wish for you to be aware and conscious of your environment and make a positive impact.

Sending you love & light,

Sabine