prox·im·i·ty

/präkˈsimədē/  noun  the state of being near in space, time, or relationship; closeness that fosters connection and interaction

Proximity.

It’s a simple word, yet it holds an extraordinary amount of power.

Proximity shapes us. It influences our thoughts, our actions, and ultimately, the trajectory of our lives.

Who we are and who we become is often determined by what (and who) we keep close.

It’s said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. 

Think about that for a moment. 

Who are your five? 

Are they people who inspire you? Challenge you? Push you to grow? Or are they people who drain your energy, keep you stuck, or hold you back from becoming your best self?

The truth is, the people closest to us act as mirrors. Their habits, attitudes, and values inevitably rub off on us, whether we realize it or not. 

If you surround yourself with driven, curious, and kind individuals, chances are those qualities will begin to show up in your own life.

But the opposite is also true.

Negative energy has a way of creeping in and taking root if we allow it to.

Proximity can be powerful because it’s subtle. It works quietly in the background, shaping us day by day. And that’s why it’s so important to choose your inner circle with intention.

But here’s the flip side: Just as those around you influence you, you influence them too. Your friends and the people who choose to stay close to you are a reflection of your own values and priorities.

Take a moment to think about your relationships. Are they built on shared respect? Mutual growth? Or are they transactional and surface-level? 

The people we attract into our lives often mirror what we project into the world. If you value kindness, curiosity, and ambition, those traits will naturally draw others with similar qualities into your orbit. But if you’re stuck in patterns of negativity or complacency, don’t be surprised if those same patterns anchor you in place.

This isn’t about judgment, it’s about awareness. Relationships are a two-way street, and proximity works both ways.

Proximity isn’t just about people, it’s also about what you give your attention to. What you focus on will grow. Always.

If you’re constantly focused on problems, guess what? Those problems will feel bigger and more overwhelming over time. 

But if you focus on solutions, or better yet, opportunities, you’ll start to see growth in areas that once felt stagnant.

The beauty of focus is that it’s within your control. You get to decide where your energy goes, and by extension, what grows in your life.

If proximity shapes us, then time is its most valuable currency. 

How we spend our time reveals what we value most, and ultimately determines who we become.

Look at your daily life as an audit of your priorities: How much time do you spend with the people who matter most to you? How much time do you dedicate to pursuing goals that excite and fulfill you? And how much time do you waste scrolling through distractions or saying yes to things that don’t align with your values?

Time doesn’t lie, it shows us exactly where our hearts are at any given moment.

The good news is that every day offers a chance to recalibrate. To realign how we spend our time with who we want to become.

Here’s the thing about proximity: It doesn’t just happen to us—we choose it every single day. 

We choose who gets our energy and attention. We choose what environments we place ourselves in. We choose how we spend our time and what we focus on.

And those choices add up.

Proximity is quiet, but transformative. It has the power to shape everything about us…our mindset, our relationships, even our future.

Choose wisely.

April 12, 2025