The Company You Keep Matters
“I want you to know the importance of the people you allow into your life,” my long-time friend and preacher Ray Perryman said before the crowd of families assembled at the National Junior Summer Spectacular. “The company you keep has absolutely everything to do with where you end up. Be careful who you allow into your life.”
It wasn’t lost on me in that moment that this topic had come up several times that week alone. Brandon Yantis, a good friend of ours with young children, had just shared he’s learned how important it is to surround your kids with the right people and help them find the right friends.
The neat thing is I’ve known Brandon since he was a kid. He was 13 when the National Junior Swine Association started in 2000. He instantly bought into the program and the opportunities it could provide. If I needed help, he was by my side. He worked hard. He listened. He was constantly seeking advice from experienced breeders.
He grew his small bred-and-owned operation over the years and we have had the privilege of buying pigs from him since our kids began showing in 2012.
It’s been fun to watch him grow up in the swine industry, pursue a degree in swine nutrition, get married and now raise three boys. He’s a good dad. He’s engaged and plays with his kids, keeps a close eye on them and pays attention to who they hang out with.
I think that’s why his comment hit me hard as we watched my 17-year-old daughter walk away hand-in-hand with his 7-year-old son.
It wasn’t that long ago the roles were reversed as Brandon mentored and helped our daughter learn the ropes when she was a 6-year-old brimming full of energy and a few nerves. And I guess you could say even before that he was the one following me around at the shows.
There’s something to be said about spending time with people who want to help you achieve your potential.
You could say all of this set me up for an “aha moment” when Perryman was sharing his message on the last day of our show. He said, “If there are areas you want to improve in, befriend people who are that. If you hang around them long enough, you will take on some of those qualities.”
- Want to be more grateful? Spend time with people who are grateful.
- Want to be a better pork producer? Spend time with people who are focused on improving their pork operation.
- Want to better care for others? Spend time with people who care for others well.
- Want to improve your leadership ability? Spend time with great leaders.
It doesn’t matter what it is, but it does matter who it is with.
No one's perfect and we all have our weaknesses, but isn't it cool we can help each other along in the journey? That we don't have to go it alone?
As I reflect on the past couple of weeks of being a “show mom,” the best part always is and always has been the people my kids get to interact with when they are at these shows. There are a lot of ways to win ribbons and awards, but I’ll argue showing livestock is one of the best ways to surround yourself with good people – people who will challenge you to become a better person.
I guess you could say it was only fitting to run into one of my first mentors out of college at the end of the show – Warren Beeler. He hadn’t been back to an NJSS show for years – it was fun to spend some time reminiscing on how things have grown and changed.
Snapped a quick photo of my long-time mentor and friend Warren Beeler (center) with my kids after he received special recognition from the National Swine Registry and the Hampshire Swine Association.
Oh, the number of times I called him for advice and hung on every word of his experience. A man of integrity, strong work ethic and passion for his family, spending time with Beeler made me better.
It’s important to pause and reflect on the people in your life – past and present – who make you better, who challenge you to be your best. And just as importantly, how can you pass that on? Who are you investing in and bringing along?
Read More from Jennifer Shike:
Every Decision is an Investment
Don’t Doubt Your Purpose When You Find Yourself in a Weird Spot
Animal Activists Are Waging War in Your Backyard
Tell Your Story: If We All Do A Little, No One Will Have To Do A Lot
