People are a lot like sponges in that we soak up whatever is around us, but unlike sponges, most of us can determine the type of company or the surroundings that we subject ourselves to.

As adults, we often find ourselves in many situations in life that we have no immediate control over. Our decision making process at that time might have been so lagging that we missed our “escape window,” leaving us with little to no influence over that situation. Being in the company of a wayward person does not add any value to your life. You will be able to discern the quality of a conversation after the first few talking points. If the focus is demeaning an individual or casts a negative outlook on life, it is safe to assume that this conversation might be a waste of time.

But, if we make it a point to spend most of our time around wise people as often as we can and for as long as we would be allowed, we can absorb the available knowledge. The exchange of your time for any valuable experience that will make you a better person is priceless. This interaction with a wise person should be our aim when choosing friends and associates. I tell anyone that would listen to “be sure you hang with people that are as smart as you are, or smarter.” In other words, stay with the smart crowd because iron sharpens iron, as we all have heard at one point or another.

So, spend your time with the wise because there are no refunds on lost time.