Have you heard the phrase "you are what you eat"?
This doesn't mean that if you eat sushi, you'll become a fish? Or if you eat a fruit, you'll become a banana? Or if you eat bacon, you'll become a pig?
... Well maybe in that case it's true. 😉
It does refer to, if you eat unhealthily, you'll become unhealthy. Overweight, or logy, tired, or worse. It could kill you. You could die.
Now, there is a similar phrase "you are who you hang out with".
Now does this mean that the more I hang out with Kenny, I'll in time become Kenny?
No!?
…Or does it?
Won't I start to laugh at the things that he laughs at? Get frustrated when he gets frustrated? Use the same phrases as he does, Re-tell his jokes. Like who he likes, not like who he doesn't. Respect those he respects and disrespect those he does. If he uses good language, positive words, positive attitudes then won't I use that too. If he uses bad language, negative words, negative attitudes, then won't I become more negative too.
Likely, I will… So be mindful of who you hang out with.