Watching the news can be hazardous to your health.

It's a fact, especially when you're watching events related to terrorism, kidnapping, murder, accidents, or calamities. These incidents make you worry and will leave you feeling weak and insecure. Imagine the uncomfortable feeling of becoming a victim someday. These thoughts will have a direct negative effect on your outlook in life.

All of your surroundings have a big impact on you. How can you Think and grow rich if you're bombarded with messages that relates "how difficult life has become" or "how poor most of us has turned out to be?" Yet, if we listen to the outside world, that is exactly what we hearover and over and over again.

You can't change your environment, but you certainly can control your mind. If the media can indirectly influence you just by reporting what's happening around you, imagine what impact everyday people have on you. These are the people that you see and meet everyday. These are also the same people who are expressing their own views of what is right and what is wrong. We must respect the right of others to express their opinion, but we certainly do not have allow those opinions and attitudes to negatively effect our outlook on life.

When we spend time in a negative environment, we tend to acquire the traits and characteristics of people around us.

Here's an example:

Pick a nice person, throw him in a group of bad-mouthed individuals who incorporates swear words in their everyday language. Sooner or later, you'll notice that nice person speaking in the same manner as the group.

This just goes to say that anyone who joins in the company of a like-minded group will have a big chance of being influenced by the personality of that group. So what can you do if you're surrounded by people who deviates from your way of thinking?

You can't just avoid them. They'll think of you as a snob. Don't change the way you treat them, but simply learn how to shield out pessimistic comments or suggestions.

Sometimes, they will try to convince you cannot possible achieve your goals. Be firm. Do not let them affect your decisions. You know that you can do what they thought would be impossible. If you have to suffer their ridicule, so be it. You will have the last laugh.

Moreover, you should be with people who have the same principles and ideologies as you do. You will be more encouraged to continue your dreams if you have a support group or mentor who will encourage you to pursue your goals despite the setbacks.

Whenever I start new endeavors, I always have those who are interested only in telling me why they wont work. Others are there to support me and encourage me. Guess which group I tend to spend my time with?

You have the power to make your dreams a reality. Now show the world the stuff you are made of.