You should also appreciate the goodness around you, and surround

When Nadia Comaneci declared, “You should also appreciate the goodness around you, and surround yourself with positive people,” she spoke not only as a champion gymnast, but as a philosopher of life. Her words remind us that no matter how high one rises, strength is never found in isolation. To recognize the goodness that already exists, and to walk alongside positive people, is to nourish the spirit with gratitude and fellowship. For greatness does not flourish in barren soil; it grows in an environment rich with support, hope, and joy.

The ancients too praised this wisdom. Aristotle spoke of friendship as one of the highest goods, declaring that no one would choose to live without friends, even if he possessed all other blessings. True companions, he said, uplift the soul, correct the wayward path, and strengthen one’s resolve. Comaneci’s counsel reflects this ancient teaching: that those who surround themselves with positivity are shielded from despair, while those who walk with the bitter inherit bitterness themselves.

History gives us shining examples. Consider Helen Keller, who, though struck blind and deaf, found in Anne Sullivan a source of unshakable encouragement. Anne’s faith and positivity unlocked Helen’s potential, transforming what could have been a life of darkness into one of brilliance, courage, and advocacy. Without such companionship, Helen’s story may have been one of despair. But with positive people at her side, her life became a beacon for millions.

Comaneci also reminds us of the power of appreciation. Too often, people gaze only upon what is lacking, mourning what they do not possess, while ignoring the blessings that already surround them. Yet gratitude transforms the heart. To pause, to notice the goodness in family, in friends, in the smallest daily joys — this is to anchor oneself in strength. For gratitude is not weakness; it is the fuel that powers perseverance and the light that banishes despair.

At the heart of her words lies a dual wisdom: look outward with eyes of thankfulness, and look around to choose carefully those who walk beside you. For the company you keep shapes your destiny. Just as a rotten apple spoils the barrel, so too does a negative soul drain the strength of those nearby. But when you gather companions who are positive, who encourage, who see the light even in trial, then your path becomes smoother, your burdens lighter, and your victories sweeter.

The lesson is clear: life is not to be traveled alone, nor is it to be lived in bitterness. Instead, it is to be filled with gratitude for the goodness that already exists, and with wise choices in who you allow into your inner circle. Seek out those who inspire, who challenge you to grow, who lift you higher. And in turn, strive to be such a person for others, radiating positivity and becoming the support you once sought.

In practice, this means beginning each day with gratitude — naming aloud the gifts that surround you, however small. It means guarding your heart from the corrosive influence of negativity, choosing instead to walk with those who carry light in their spirits. And it means being mindful of the energy you bring to others: ask yourself, Do I uplift, or do I weigh down? In becoming a source of goodness, you complete the circle of wisdom.

Therefore, let us carry Nadia Comaneci’s counsel as a guiding torch: appreciate the goodness, and surround yourself with positive people. For in this, you will not only endure the trials of life but flourish in them, supported by gratitude and companionship. And your own light, strengthened by those around you, will shine forth to illuminate the path for generations yet to come.