Years later, however, I realized that peer pressure can also be a good thing. It depends on who you choose to associate with. This is true for every area of life - work, play, health, even spirituality. For instance, during my 10-year newspaper career, it was extremely helpful to spend time with people that I admired as writers, editors and photographers. I tried to emulate some of their skills, and they encouraged me and provided helpful feedback. If you desire to build a successful career, whether in sales, management, law, accounting, education or medicine, it would be good to spend time with people that have established strong track records in that field.

When I was learning to play tennis, it became obvious I needed to play against people that were better than I was. I could watch their techniques, and their play challenged me to raise my level of performance. While I have never truly excelled at the sport, competing with better players has motivated me to do better. This principle would apply whether your interest is in painting, golf, gardening, stamp collecting, hiking, music, cooking or some other hobby.

Recently I read an article reporting that a strong, positive social network is conducive to better physical and emotional health. People living in isolation and loneliness, according to a study, had a nearly 400 percent higher risk of early death. Conversely, people who had the support of peers - spouses, companions, friends, confidants and coworkers - were far better equipped for overcoming severe health problems.

Since we all are multi-faceted beings, tapping into the positives of peer pressure also benefits us spiritually. Over the past 30 years it has been my privilege to enjoy the friendship of many men and women that have been very devoted to living out their faith in God. They have demonstrated that the spiritual journey is not just acquiring information and knowledge, but also learning how to integrate beliefs and values into the way we conduct our lives every minute of every day.

This is why the Bible states, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." (Hebrews 10:24-25). Here are some other thoughts on peer pressure from the Bible:

Choose the right peers. We undoubtedly will be affected to some extent by those we associate with - therefore we need to be selective about the people that occupy our time. "A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray" (Proverbs 12:26).

Choose the qualities we want our friends to have. What traits are you looking for when you form a friendship? Just as paint will rub off when it is wet, the character qualities of people we associate with will rub off on us - for good or for ill. "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20).

Choose the qualities you would like others to see in you. Since we are bound to be influenced by the company we keep, if we determine in advance the characteristics we want to cultivate in our lives, we can choose our friends and close associates to help us in developing those qualities. As someone has said, "It's hard to soar like an eagle when you spend your time with turkeys." "A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a patch that is not good" (Proverbs 16:29).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today's Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Can you think of a personal example of negative peer pressure, when someone had a detrimental influence on your career or some other area of your life? Describe that situation and the effects it had on you. How did you deal with it?

2. Before considering this Monday Manna, had you thought of "peer pressure" in positive terms? If so, how have you benefited from the influence of one of your peers?

3. We often gravitate toward people with whom we share common interests and complementary personalities. But have you ever tried to select friends on the basis of character traits or personal qualities that you admire? Why or why not?

4. How much do you value the influence of peers as it relates to your spiritual life - if at all? Explain your answer.

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:

Proverbs 14:7, 15:22, 18:24, 22:24-25, 27:9,17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

From my experience, I have discovered that there is no better resource than the Bible to identify five traits of those who make it to the top:

1.PEOPLE WHO EXCEL WORK WITH ENTHUSIASM. Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, "Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm. Regardless of whether the job is big or small, give it your best." Great performers give their best effort, no matter what the size of the audience. "Whatever your task is, put your whole heart and soul into it, as work done for the Lord, not merely for men" (Colossians 3:23).

2.PEOPLE WHO EXCEL SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS. They never stop developing, growing, learning, or improving. It takes more than desire to excel; it takes skill. "If the ax is dull, and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success" (Ecclesiastics 10:10). Remember - you are never wasting time when you are sharpening your "ax."

3. PEOPLE WHO EXCEL KEEP THEIR WORD. They are reliable. They can be counted on to do what they say they will do. So they excel because people of integrity are rare in our society. Reliability beats talent in the long run. "Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful they are, but just try to find someone who really is!" (Proverbs 20:6).

4. PEOPLE WHO EXCEL MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Even under pressure, or facing change, or dealing with unrealistic demands, they don't allow themselves to become negative. Complainers never excel at anything - except complaining. "Do all things without grumbling or arguing...and you will shine out like a light in a dark world" (Philippians 2:14-15). Remember: "If the boss is angry with you, don't quit! A quiet spirit will quiet his bad temper!" (Ecclesiastics 10:4).

5. PEOPLE WHO EXCEL DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED. This is a secret that every successful person has discovered. You will never excel by only doing what is required - the bare minimum. Jesus said, "If anybody forces you to go a mile with him, do more, go two miles with him" (Matthew 5:41).

Songwriter and musical producer Oscar Hammerstein told a story of seeing the top of the head of the Statue of Liberty up close from a helicopter. What impressed him was the incredible detail that Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi - the French artist who created the famous statue - had sculpted on an area of his creation that he could never have expected anyone to see. The sculptor had no idea that one day people would be able to hover over his statue and study it!

When you are tempted to take shortcuts and think, "No one will ever know," remember this:"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before Him whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13). Whatever you do, give it your best effort this week!

Adapted from a column by Dr. Rick Warren. He is the author of numerous books, including his highly acclaimed, best-selling book, The Purpose-Drive Life, which has been translated into many languages and sold throughout the world. It affirms the importance of having a carefully considered, clearly expressed purpose to guide everyday life.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Before reading this Monday Manna, what would you have listed as the characteristics or traits of individuals that excel, whether it is in the business and professional environment, athletics, music and the arts, public service, or some other pursuit?

2. How can you learn to work with enthusiasm, especially if your working environment tends to foster discouragement and negativity?

3. What are some ways of sharpening your skills? Are you doing anything currently that would enable you to grow and improve in your work - or in other areas of your life?

4. Why do you think that reliability and integrity are among the characteristics cited to describe people that excel at what they do?

NOTE: If you have a Bible, consider some of the following passages that relate to this topic:

Proverbs 10:4, 18:9, 20:27, 22:29, 25:19, 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 2:14-24

Thinking about Monday and work often raises negative ideas of suffering, stress and dissatisfaction. The question is: "Why does work generates so little joy for many people?" Restaurants around the world use the slogan, "Thanks God it's Friday." Why not, "Thanks God it's Monday?"

Associating work with hardship and punishment is a tremendous misunderstanding, perhaps born out of the idea that with humankind's fall in Eden, work became cursed - meaning it became difficult, and often unpleasant. When the first couple deliberately opposed God's plan they were banished from the Garden, condemned to a life of hard labor: "And to Adam he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life " (Genesis 3:17).

Maybe that is the reason joy is so uncommon in the workplace. There are even ideological views that keep the workplace from being a cheerful place. "The place where bread is won is sacred," some people affirm. "Much laughter, little wisdom," others say. However, joy and productivity need not be mutually exclusive. Some global companies have increased prominence and productivity by deciding to motivate employees to work joyfully. Some of them actually have been encouraged to work with their newborn children alongside; others work with their favorite pet under the table.

Overload, various pressures, demanding goals and tight deadlines are fuel workplace stress and inhibit the practice of joy at work. But for those who consider sadness incompatible with joy, Henri Nouwen's observation is relevant: "Joy and sadness are not exclusive. I discover joy in the middle of sadness. I dare even to say: 'My grief was the place where I found my joy'."

The Bible celebrates work. Jesus said, "My Father works up to now, and I also work."Talking about his daily business, the apostle Paul - even when imprisoned - recommended, "Rejoice in the Lord! Again I say, rejoice!"(Philippians 4.4). Facing the daunting task of the reconstruction of Israelite nation, Nehemiah reminded the people, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10b).

The cultivation of joy in the marketplace could be a powerful tool of increasing productivity if the CEO could turn a tired face into a genuine smile; if customers were welcomed with a sincere joy, and not with the insincere smiles; if the one that serves the table did so with real joy and not a concern for the size of the tip; if leaders led with real joy and not a lust for power.

I know a businessman who carried out his job with joy for more than 70 years. Every workday was like a party for him. While doing his tasks, he hummed and made jokes with the customers. Many people said they entered his store feeling sad and were uplifted by his joy. He loved his work so much, he never took as much as a week for vacation. Even on the eve of his death he arrived at his job as usual - with great joy. This businessman was my father!

Determine that from today on, everything you do will be done with joy!

Sergio Fortes is an attorney and consultant in logistics and transportation in Sao Paulo, Brazil who understands very well the challenges and stresses of the 21^st century business and professional world.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think so many people view their work as drudgery, finding little satisfaction or fulfillment in it?

2. What do you think is the difference - if any - between "joy" and "happiness"? Does feeling joyful mean you always have to feel happy? Explain your answer.

3. How would you describe your own job today: Do you find consistent joy in what you do, or do you find mostly frustration, aggravation, discontent and stress?

4. What steps could you take, starting today, to begin experiencing - and demonstrating - more joy about your work? If you took a more joyful approach to your work, what difference might it make for your coworkers, employees, customers and suppliers?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following:

Psalm 35:9; Isaiah 61:10; Romans 15:13; Philippians 2:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"How do I handle this situation with integrity?" Tom asked me. My response to him might surprise you.

In the Old Testament book of Proverbs we find these words of counsel: "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21-22). Since we do not deal a lot with burning coals in our society, at least as we see in this passage, it may seem like a strange admonition. What is it talking about, "heaping burning coals"?

To help readers understand what this means in real life terms, one commentary on the passage refers to an old Egyptian ritual where an individual would carry a basin of burning coals on his head to reflect his change of heart. Putting this practice in the context of what we are told in Proverbs, it suggests that by being kind to our competitors, we may succeed in turning their hearts toward God.

So what was my advice to Tom: I recommended that he offer to become this person's mentor - to teach her proper business etiquette, and perhaps to win the professional friendship of someone who would reconsider her attempts to steal away his business. Most importantly, I told Tom, he would be pleasing God, no matter what the outcome.

Such a strategy certainly would run counter to the typical response to competition. When confronted with a strong competitor, our immediate impulse is to search for a way to gain an advantage or to undermine any inroads they had made to our business. Our first thoughts usually are not on how we can "kill them with kindness." All we want to do is dispense with them entirely or at least minimize their impact on our companies, sales and profits.

Yes, in many ways this seems like a radical idea. It definitely seems to run counter to prevailing business "wisdom." But this is one reason the book of Proverbs is known as a book of wisdom, one that has survived for thousands of years and transcended the shifting trends and prevailing ethical winds of the business and professional world.

Here is my suggestion to you, if or when a similar competitive situation arises: In your own business, try treating your competitors with respect and kindness, demonstrating the fairness and sensitivity with which you would like them to treat you. As unlikely as it may seem initially, you might find it possible to turn an enemy into a friend.

(Copyright 2008, Integrity Resource Center, Inc.) Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. For more information about receiving Integrity Moments in their e-mail box, write to: rboxx@IntegrityMoments.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line or visit his website, http://www.integrityresource.org/.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Can you think of a recent situation when a competitor was seeking to attract or even steal some of your customers? How did you respond?

2. Have you ever gone to an extreme in an attempt to lure customers or clients from one of your competitors? If so, in retrospect do you think the approach you took was correct? Why or why not?

3. What is your reaction to the idea of treating your competitor - your "enemy" - with acts of kindness and sensitivity? Does that seem practical or reasonable? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever found yourself forging a true friendship with a strong competitor? If you have, how did that come about? What do you think about that relationship now?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider other passages that relate to this topic, look up the following verses:

Psalm 126:5-6; Romans 12:2, 10-11, 17-21; Philippians 2:3-4; Hebrews 10:30-31