Motivational speaker Jim Rohn says that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Even the scriptures tell us that “as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another” ~ Proverbs 27:17. This means there are certain people you need in your life to help shape you.
While I talk a lot about the impact our environment has on us when it comes to our homes, the same is also true when it comes to our relationships. Whether we care to admit it or not, we are greatly influenced by those we spend the most time with.
The people around us influence our way of thinking, the choices we make, and even how we feel about ourselves. This is often why we regularly hear about the importance of drawing boundaries in relationships.
But peer pressure isn’t always a bad thing— when you surround yourself with the right people their influence helps us to become better people.
Eight Essential People You Need To Invite Into Your Home:
The people you choose to invite into your life reflect a lot about you. They have space in your life. You think about them, you confide in them, you seriously consider their opinions and you trust them.
I often encourage you to think about how you want your home to look and feel, but how often do you think about the people that should be occupying those spaces?
Your home is immensely important, it makes up your daily life. Our home should be filled with the relationships that will challenge us and encourage us to grow.
These 8 people you need will hands down change everything for you. Fill your home with these humans and you’ll have a life you never believed possible:
1. Someone Who Inspires You
“There are people in your life whom you unknowingly inspire simply by being you.” ~ Unknown
We all need that person in our life who inspires us just by nature of who they are. This is the natural leader in your life.
When you’re around this person, you can’t help but feel like your dreams are possible. Whether a close friend or an acquaintance they motivate you to keep going,
This person’s life convinces you that your dreams really can come true. This person pushes you to be better just because they are in your life. Whether it’s to be kinder, work harder, or cling tighter to your faith, they make you believe it’s possible.
Think about the people in your life. Who do you look up to? Who do you admire, or maybe even envy (in a positive way)? We all have at least one person like this in our life. Maybe it’s a friend, an acquaintance, a family member, a co-worker. Keep this person in your sights!
Make a conscious effort this week to be around this person. Invite them into your home. Whether to sit at your table for dinner, a phone call, or even reaching out on social media.
If you don’t have this person in your life, go find them. In the meantime watch a video or TED talk, this is an easy way to surround yourself with inspiration! Reserve some time this week to find that one person and spend a little time with them. See what happens.
2. Someone Who Challenges You
“Always have friends who challenge you to become a better person.” ~ Unknown
Most of us are not intentional in purposefully choosing to spend time with people who challenge us. This is a mistake.
When it comes to people you need to invite into your home, the person who challenges you is essential. This is the coach in your life. They don’t let you give up, instead, they keep telling you to try harder.
Having someone in your life who will constantly challenge you will help you achieve your biggest goals. This is the friend who sees you growing weary, slowing down, and petering out, and pushes you to keep going.
If you’re about to settle for good enough, you can count on this person to stop that complacency dead in its tracks and push you toward your best.
It’s not always easy to be around this person because their expectations are high. However, the best way to keep going, navigate challenges and increase your strength is to surround yourself with people who will challenge you to do so.
Be intentional about inviting this person into your home this week.
3. Someone Who Makes You Laugh
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” ~ Charlie Chaplin
Laughing is good for you! It has many benefits that range from relieving stress to improving your physical health.
We all need people in our life that can make us laugh and lighten the mood. This is the person that’s always up for a fun time! They are easy to be around and leave you feeling refreshed and happy you spent time with them. Life feels a little lighter thanks to their presence.
The people who can make you feel like that are not to be taken for granted. These people have a way of making us forget about all the stresses in our lives, even if it’s only for a moment, we need them!
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed call this friend today, invite them into your home for lunch, make a point of being in their presence.
Again, if you don’t have this person in your life now, do something that will make you laugh. Watch your favorite comedy, view a few ridiculous TikTok videos, whatever it is that will make you laugh and feel a little lighter!
4. Someone Who Will Be Honest With You
“There’s just some magic in truth and honesty and openness.” ~ Frank Ocean
There’s a natural human temptation to surround ourselves with friends who flatter us and tell us what we want to hear. However, it’s important to have that honest, direct friend in your life.
That honest and direct friend is never afraid to tell you how it is. They will gladly tell you when you’re acting like a jerk, or when they think you’re making bad choices or your thinking is just off. Regardless of whether you want to hear these things, you can count on your honest friends to tell you anyways. And the truth is you know they tell you like it is because they ultimately want what’s best for you!
These direct and honest revelations are what give us an opportunity for growth and introspection. They force us to ask those tough questions about our thoughts and behaviors.
We all have those moments when we don’t always see things clearly, for whatever reason. The honest feedback or well-meaning advice when we’re making irrational or fear-based decisions is just what we need to avoid doing things we’ll later regret.
Whether you listen to them or not, you know that you can trust this kind of person to be honest and deeply examine or even reconsider the choices you’re making, thanks to them. The best part is they’ll never let you give up on yourself!
Do you have a friend like this? Let them know how much you appreciate them. Invite them into your home. You can even if share this post with a note of gratitude for all the ways they enhance your life.
5. Someone Who Encourages You
“Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already.” ~ Dave Willis
This is one of my all-time favorite quotes. I want to be the kind of person that encourages rather than criticizes. The reason is simple, there are certain people in my life that have inspired me to grow in this area because they are always encouraging me. They truly have the gift of encouragement.
We all need this advocate in our life. They speak truth to us when we’re down on ourselves, when we’re feeling weak they remind us of our strengths until we are standing again.
This is the person who always has a warm smile when they see you, it may have been months between visits but you pick up right where you left off.
They are there with a listening ear. Acknowledging the hardships you are feeling and then pulling you back with reminders that you can handle this. When you’re doing well they let you know they noticed. They praise your effort and progress and share positive thoughts with you. They always let you know how you’ve helped them and how much you matter.
If you don’t have an encourager in your life, you need to get one now! Find an older, wiser person who can come alongside you and be purposeful about inviting them into your home. Meet for coffee or regular phone chats.
6. Someone Who Surprises You
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” ~Audre Lorde
We miss out when all of the people we invite into our homes are exactly like us. Having people that are different from us are, shows us new ways of looking at things. After all, we learn and grow when something causes us to stop and question things or our own beliefs. When we have to explain why we believe what we believe it forces us to examine those beliefs and live out of intention rather than habit.
This is why it’s good to have a person in your life who is nothing like you. A person who may not live the way you do, or value all of the same things. This person reminds you that not everyone is just like you. They push you to think outside of your own environment.
Moreover, this person keeps us humble. When you’re convinced that you’re right about certain things, you’ll be reminded that you have plenty to learn from other people!
While this person may sometimes be difficult for you to deal with, their presence in your home will force you to grow patient and open-minded towards those who are unlike you.
Because they challenge your perspective they will push you to be the best version of yourself. So don’t shy away from people who are different than you, cling to them. Invite them into your home and learn a new way of looking at things.
7. Someone Who Understands You
7. Someone Who Understands You“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” ~William Shakespeare
As important as it is to have people in your life that are different from you, that challenge or inspire you, and that makes things light, it’s equally important to have people in your home who are walking through the same season as you.
This is the person who’s always in your corner, the one who looks at you with a knowing glance that says, “Yeah, me too.” No explanations are needed because they are walking through the same season, or has been there done that!
This is the one you sit and talk with and find that hours have passed without even realizing it. You laugh, cry and pray together. Heck, they even get your anti-social phases and know not to take it personally.
If you don’t have this person in your life, it’s time to start opening up and sharing struggles and experiences. This will give you the opportunity to connect with people who are in the same stage of life. When you do, invite them into your home, you’ll be glad you did!
8. Someone Who Needs You
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” ~John Holmes
This is the person you have chosen to serve. They are a constant reminder for you to live generously, intentionally, and sacrificially. You need this person as much as they need you!
When we open our homes and hearts to others in need, we are most blessed. They help us realize just how much we have already. You will never walk away feeling defeated when you spend your time serving others.
Whether they have, monetary needs, physical needs, spiritual needs, or just need a shoulder to lean on, invite someone into your home this week for the sole purpose of giving generously. And be blessed as you do!
How Full Are The Seats in Your Home?
Life is often complicated and it’s important to keep people close who help us become who we want to be!
These essential people in your life may be many individuals or you may have friends who fit into more than one of these categories. I’m sure at some point, we’ve all taken on each of these roles in each other’s lives.
For the people that are currently filling these roles in your own life, hold them close and let them know what they mean to you!
If you find you have a few empty chairs in your home, be intentional about filling them. Pray, and be willing to open up with the problems or people you’re missing. Keep your eyes up and your heart open for them to come in. Also, consider the ways YOU can make an impact on others.
We all need each other!
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