"Birds of a Feather Flock Together....."

"Birds of a Feather Flock Together...."

This week I was reminded of the trueness of the old parable "Birds of a feather flock together."  While spending time at the North Idaho Correctional Institution, I cross paths daily with several of the local staff members.  While it's important to establish healthy interactions in the workplace, mixing of these minds can be trepidatious.  One of the staff often solicits feedback on the Criminal Justice System, and its effectiveness in maintaining public safety.  However, the discussions almost always lands on addictions treatment.  After, several minutes it became clear that she was disregarding the high-level discussion on a national hot topic, and instead focusing on her meth addicted cousin, and looking to me to offer treatment solutions.  Here's a young lady who overcame a poverty stricken childhood, laced with violence and addiction, and graduated from college and now on a professional career path.  Unfortunately, she has maintained the same old mentality.

As a Life Coach, I inspire individuals to enhance their lives and achieve their goals, so they can enjoy complete health and wellness everyday!  But in this instance, the person before me (despite overcoming dire circumstances), remains stuck in her highly dysfunctional past.  She's a college graduate, yet married a man who hasn’t yet graduated from high school.  She’s a criminal justice professional with an opportunity to advance her own career path, but fixated on her cousin's methamphetamine addiction and temporarily living in a "5th-wheel" camp trailer (with no running water on some nights).  Needless to say, converging our paths often results in frustration, even though we enjoy moments of great chemistry.  Life is simply much more enjoyable when spending time around like-minded people who are currently experiencing or pursuing your desired lifestyle.  If you are in a similar situation, save yourself some time and energy, because trying to make this relationship work can be an exercise in futility. 

Preserve your brain cells and avoid a ride on an emotional rollercoaster by adhering to the timeless parable; "Birds of A Feather Flock Together...."

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