Surrounding yourself with positive influences that truly encourage you truly live out the best version of yourself can be extremely hard to come by. While making an effort to be positive may seem like an elementary or obvious concept, it's all too hard to do in a world overrun by technology. The world is really really loud. Really loud. There's a constant stream of messages being thrown at you every single day. While social media, the internet, magazines, television, and apps are extremely useful, they can also suck the joy and positivity out of your everyday life if you aren't careful and cautious.

Countless things are clamoring for your attention every single day. Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, texts, emails, planners, to-do lists, television, the news, and magazines. What's the first thing you do when you wake up? Probably turn off the alarm on your smartphone and while you're at it check your texts, emails, social media apps, and phone calls. You're already on your phone, why wouldn't you? However, this automatically starts the stream of various sources fighting for your attention. One upsetting text or overwhelming email can start your morning off on a bad note and if you aren't careful, those negative thoughts and feelings of stress can seep into the cracks of the rest of your day.

I've found that being intentional about giving myself specific positive influences completely changes the course of my day and quality of life in general. Here are some tangible ways I've found that help me incorporate positive influences into my day:

1. Sign up for some sort of daily emails.

I'm signed up for The Daily Positive, Soul Scripts, and a study by Lysa TerKurst. Their messages automatically send to my inbox and allow me to read something positive and helpful in class, on the bus, or while I'm waiting somewhere. It's a quick way to read something encouraging!

2. Community.

Know the difference between stewardship and fellowship. Stewardship is friendships that require you to take more of a leadership role and speak more heavily into others lives. Fellowship means that both parties are like-minded, have similar walks with Jesus, and therefore able to relate and encourage each other on a level someone else couldn't. Both relationships are extremely important. However, be mindful to make sure you're having plenty of fellowship to recharge and provide encouragement to yourself. It's just as important to be poured into as it is to be pouring into others.

3. Be super intentional about your close relationships.

One of my favorite quotes is, "stay close to people who feel like sunlight." If you have someone in your life who you undoubtedly has your best interest at heart, seek them out. They want to encourage you, speak wisdom in your life, and make sure you're built up.

4. Have your quiet time in the morning.

Start your day off on the right foot, automatically in step with Jesus and setting your mind on things above. Spending time in Scripture and prayer in the morning sets the tone for your whole day, and allows you to filter every single encounter and thought you have during the course of the day with the truth you saturated yourself in that morning.

5. Move.

If you hate running, don't run. If you love running, then run. If Zumba is your thing, go dance. If you feel sick and need to rest, then go on a light walk and take a power nap. If your a gym rat and you find it genuinely enjoyable to lift weights for two hours, do it. Whatever it is, go move and allow yourself to have some "me" time amidst a busy day. Do something you love and genuinely find rejuvenating. Carve time out of your day to put your phone down and move.