Associations

Here is a quote by Swami Vivekananda:

The raindrops from the sky if caught in hands are pure enough for drinking.

If it falls in a gutter it’s value drops so much that it can’t be used even for washing feet.

If it falls on a lotus leaf, it shines like a pearl.

If it falls on an oyster, it becomes a pearl.

The drop is the same but it’s existence and worth depend on whom it associates with.

If we are always around people who pull us down and discourage us from living this lifestyle no matter how strong our will is to follow it we won’t be able to sustain this life.