Granny Gheeta was best described as a ray of sunshine even on the cloudiest or dreariest days. No matter what daunting ailments or matters she was experiencing, she always managed to put on a smile and spread good feelings wherever she went. Therefore, as a youngster growing up Granny was always concerned about the people who influenced her childrens' lives and her granchildrens' lives.
 
If Granny saw me with a sad look on my face she would say, "What's the matter, who rained on your parade?"
 
I would begin telling her my tall tales of slights I experienced at the hand of acquaintances, and she would casualy reply, "These are the reasons why I am so strict regarding the people you choose to associate with. Some people like to bring their bag and baggage, or crosses into others' lives, completely unaware of the negative vibes they leave after emoting."
 
Granny usually emphasized that life was never a bed of roses and if God had to endure thorns, then as human beings our burdens will be heavy at times. But she also promised us that if we chose happy, positive, and nurturing individuals to surround ourselves with, our days would be a lot more bearable and productive.
 
Granny would continue, "You see Ms. Quickly down the road, she's a nice lady, buy all day long, she complains about the weather, her gout, her children and anything else she can think of at the time. After a visit with her, I feel like bawling from here to thy kingdom come. You know what I call her secretly? "Sad Sack Nelly", she never has a good day yet. I have to be in the right frame of mind to entertain her stories of woe and gloom, because when she is finished dumping her negative vibes, I feel depressed and barely have any energy to pray to God or conduct my chores."
 
I listened intently as Granny Gheeta rambled along, I thought about her conversation, and realized that there was truth in her very forthright conversation. There were friends in my life who made me feel positive and energized while in their presence, and then there were "Others" who I thought to be friends. They always managed to drag my spirits in the gutter with their fear filled remarks, sarcasm and negativity. After spending time with the "others" I usually felt drained and melancholy.
 
Granny would talk on convincingly, "Listen to me, I am telling you this for your own good. Stay away from the Calamity Janes, The Drama Queens and the Problematic Joes. They wil wreck, ravage and ruin your life with their melodrama. They are like mobile soap operas waiting to debut."
 
Granny's words spoke volumes and although I was barely a teenager, I could relate to her stern urgings. Because life had taught me at an early age to be careful who I let into my life.
 
Surrounding ourselves with the right people is part of the Caribbean upbringing that parents, grandparents and teachers try to din in our heads from the time we are toddlers going through Kindergarten. We sometimes tend to overlook certain traits in a person's character because they make us laugh or experience fun times. But if we put some of these relationships under microscopes, we will find, that the laughter is just an illusion, a facade that hides the reality of the friendship.
 
Granny continued preaching, "Ms. Halliburton's son is a nice, nice boy, but you know what? He got himself mixed up with some hoodlums who were dealing drugs and now his life is all messed up. He never did anything, however, he was guilty by association. Just like that, his life is "chegged up". You know the funny thing about the whole matter? These boys that he was surrounding himself with, he met them in church. They were full of fun and jokes, but they were just priming him for the "kill". When people have good vibes and aura, they make you feel cool, calm and collected, like you can accomplish anything meaningful in the world. Just by merely being in their presence, you feel motivated and inspired, not downtrodden and fretful."
 
Once again Granny had argued her point admirably. It is true that surrounding ourselves with Positive and well meaning individuals can make all the difference in our lives. During life I have noticed people who were happy and positive in all aspects of living, and they often seemed to be more successful in comparison to folks who were more credentialed, yet had a melancholy outlook in life. It is my belief, that even when one is accomplished, and positivity and good vibrations are missing, it is very difficult to go the distance in life without the aspects of drama and calamity casting their shadows.
 
People who exude auras of positivity may experience adversity, however, their outlook makes it a lot more palatable, and by mere thoughts, they are able to conquer the obstacles that life presents. So, as mature adults, we begin to realize that after banging our heads on the magnetic friendship wall, it is not the people who dazzle us with their euphoric delusions that ultimately make us feel like normal, well-adjusted human beings. It is the individuals who are consistent, positive and encouraging that shape and color our world beautiful.

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