"birds of a feather"

"birds of a feather flock together"

the company you keep makes a difference

it can make a long, hard trek 

longer or bearable or enjoyable

who are you "flocking" with?

be careful who you choose to journey with

if you need to change companions, 

do so as quickly as you are able to

and perhaps the most difficult advice to give and to take:

be mindful that a big part of the company you keep is your attitude

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men."

Philippians 2:3-7