I believe that you should gravitate to people who are doing

Hear the words of Nadia Comaneci, the gymnast who stunned the world with perfect tens and whose wisdom extends beyond the balance beam: “I believe that you should gravitate to people who are doing productive and positive things with their lives.” These words are not the idle musings of comfort but the testimony of one who rose from obscurity to greatness, who knows that the company we keep shapes the course of our destiny. For just as iron sharpens iron, so too do souls sharpen one another, lifting or lowering, building or breaking.

To be near the productive is to be near fire. Productivity is not mere busyness, but the steady act of creation, growth, and movement toward purpose. Those who live productively set an example that awakens the spirit of others. Their actions speak louder than any command, reminding us that greatness is not achieved in dreams alone but in the daily toil of discipline. To walk alongside such people is to learn endurance, focus, and the art of turning effort into triumph.

To be near the positive is to be near light. Positivity does not deny the existence of struggle, but it transforms how we face it. Those who cultivate positivity carry an energy that strengthens the weary and encourages the doubtful. They see opportunities where others see obstacles, hope where others see despair. When you walk with such souls, their light kindles your own, giving you the courage to keep moving forward.

The ancients understood this wisdom well. The philosopher Epictetus urged his students to associate with those who uplifted their character, warning that the company of the corrupt would drag them down. In the East, Confucius declared: “If you are the smartest in the room, you are in the wrong room.” He too believed that growth comes from surrounding oneself with the virtuous, the wise, and the diligent. Nadia’s words are but a modern echo of this eternal teaching: we are shaped by the orbit of those we choose to circle.

History offers shining testimony. Consider the circle of American leaders known as the “Founding Fathers.” Their greatness was not solitary—it was forged in conversation, in debate, in collaboration with others equally determined to build something greater than themselves. In contrast, rulers who surrounded themselves with flatterers and idlers often fell into ruin, for they were blinded by the mediocrity of their companions. The lesson is plain: choose companions who push you to rise, not those who comfort you in decline.

The lesson for us is clear: if you wish to flourish, choose carefully the company you keep. Every companion is an influence—either lifting you toward greatness or pulling you toward mediocrity. Seek out those whose lives are filled with productive action and positive energy, and you will find your own spirit elevated. To walk with the wise and the hopeful is to ensure that you, too, will rise above despair and idleness.

Practical steps flow from this wisdom. Reflect on those closest to you: do they inspire you to grow, to act, to believe? If not, gently but firmly distance yourself from their influence. Seek mentors, friends, and companions who embody diligence and joy. When you find them, listen closely, watch carefully, and let their energy fuel your own. And remember, to attract such people, you too must live productively and positively, for like draws like, and light is drawn to light.

So take Nadia Comaneci’s words as a guiding principle: “Gravitate to people who are doing productive and positive things with their lives.” Let them remind you that your circle is your mirror, and that by choosing wisely, you prepare the ground for your own greatness. For just as she achieved perfection in her craft by surrounding herself with discipline, focus, and inspiration, so too can you achieve the best of yourself when you walk alongside those who carry fire and light.