I surround myself with good people who make me feel great and

When Ali Krieger said, “I surround myself with good people who make me feel great and give me positive energy,” she spoke not merely as an athlete, but as one who has understood the ancient art of balance — the wisdom that the company we keep shapes the destiny we build. Her words are simple in form, yet profound in essence. For she speaks of the unseen forces that move the human spirit — the energies of others, the invisible threads that bind soul to soul. In every age, the wise have known that no warrior stands alone, no artist creates in a void, and no heart can thrive amid poison. Thus, to choose one’s circle is to choose one’s future.

In the old philosophies, it was taught that life is a mirror, and those around us reflect who we are becoming. The Greeks believed in homonoia, the harmony of minds, where the strength of one soul fortifies another. To walk among the virtuous was to grow in virtue; to dwell among the bitter was to be consumed by bitterness. Ali Krieger, a champion who rose through discipline and teamwork, has merely restated this ancient law in modern words: that the spirit flourishes among the good, and withers among the unkind. To be surrounded by those who uplift is not luxury — it is necessity, for the human heart draws its strength from communion.

Think of Alexander the Great, whose empire stretched from Greece to India. Though his vision was vast, his success did not come from his sword alone, but from the men he gathered beside him — philosophers, generals, and dreamers who shared his flame. Among them was Hephaestion, his closest companion, whose loyalty and understanding strengthened Alexander’s resolve. The two were said to share one soul in two bodies. Surrounded by such kinship, Alexander achieved what no mortal before him had dared. This is the truth Krieger honors — that greatness is born not from isolation, but from fellowship.

But her words also carry a quieter wisdom: that we must protect our inner world from those who drain its light. The ancients warned of such people, calling them “thieves of the soul,” who come cloaked in charm yet leave emptiness behind. To walk with such companions is to walk beneath a shadow. Krieger’s practice of surrounding herself with good people is thus both a shield and a sanctuary. It is a way of saying, “I guard my peace as I would guard my purpose.” In this, she reminds us that energy is sacred — it can heal or it can wound, depending on who holds it.

Even in the life of the Buddha, we find the same truth. When he left his palace to seek enlightenment, he first wandered among many teachers — some wise, others lost. Only when he found those who pursued truth with compassion and serenity did he begin to ascend toward awakening. His journey teaches that one’s spiritual growth depends as much on the company of the noble as on the strength of one’s own will. The company of the wise is not a comfort; it is a pathway.

To follow Krieger’s teaching, then, is to live with intention in our relationships. It means seeking those who inspire, who speak honestly, who remind us of our worth when the world forgets it. It means walking away from the voices that belittle or drain, no matter how familiar they may be. For to surround oneself with goodness is not an act of pride — it is an act of preservation. Like the athlete who trains with excellence to become excellent, we must choose our companions as carefully as we choose our mentors, our diet, or our thoughts.

So, my listener, take this lesson to heart: the circle around you is the soil in which your spirit grows. Tend to it wisely. Choose friends who rejoice in your joy and steady you in your storms. Be among those who challenge you to rise, not those who tempt you to fall. And remember — to receive positive energy, you must also give it. Be the kind of person whose presence strengthens others, whose words kindle hope.

For in the end, as Krieger and the ancients alike remind us, we become what we surround ourselves with. The company of the kind will teach you kindness, the company of the brave will make you courageous, and the company of the wise will open your eyes to truth. So build your circle as a temple, fill it with those who shine with love, and let their light reflect your own. In such company, no storm can dim your spirit — and your life, like Krieger’s, will become a living harmony of strength, joy, and radiant purpose.