Keep Useful Habits Fresh 🌱

My uncle was both a father figure and a loving mentor to me. He had no filter when speaking to strangers in public which often left me embarrassed... looking for a place to hide. But over time, I noticed something remarkable: people would freely drop their guard around him. They leaned in, smiled more, and engaged in the conversation. His bluntness was disarming, but his kindness was unmistakable. He spoke to uplift, not to impress.

He lived in the same city as my university and kept me from many poor decisions with his regular, passionate preaching from the Bible. We studied. We prayed. My uncle brought spiritual practice into everyday life.

Long after his passing, I’ve come to believe it wasn’t just his words that left a mark. It was his energy. He radiated positivity like a lighthouse in human form. His prayerful spirit created an atmosphere people could feel. His light was the habit.

One message he'd repeat (often to my annoyance) still echoes in my mind: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.”

His voice still whispers this phrase whenever I approach a crossroads. That simple wisdom helped me choose light over shadow, laughter over toxicity, and friendships rooted in love over ones rooted in fear. Today, I pass that same lesson with equal annoyance to my kids.

In life, I seek relationships with people who value goodness, humility, and integrity. Wealth, fame, and status don’t impress me. What matters is how you treat a waiter. How gentle you are to the smallest of creatures. How patient you are with someone in pain. These are signs of real character.

And sometimes, the “bad association” isn’t someone else, it’s the voice in your own head. The one whispering doubt. Feeding insecurity. Repeating stories of lack.

Know you always have the agency to change that voice because it's yours. You can observe it. Rewrite it. Replace it with love. Because the words and thoughts you speak to yourself are part of the company you keep.

Start there. Speak kindly to yourself. Be grateful. And let your inner voice sing with compassion and grace.

My uncle’s words live on in me. And if this message resonates with you today, then maybe, in some small way… they live on in you, too.

Keep your useful habits fresh by surrounding them with love and you will be amazed by the positive company you attract. 🤓 💛

© Nuri Dimler 2025