It’s important. We are all crafted by our environment and experiences. It is inescapable. They influence our thinking, behaviors, and habits. The certainty is that when challenged, we typically revert to instinctive behaviors and reactions, many deeply rooted in our earliest encounters and ecosystems.
Have we ever wondered why we, or possibly others, appear to revert to a different and somewhat surprising character when stressed? This manifests from what we know and is accustomed to for much of our formative years or experiences. When an individual makes out-of-character decisions or behaviors, look no further than their past, role models, or influences, to appreciate the origins.
Our past is much of who we are. It is undeniable, and we should not forget. It is often an inspiration and motivation. The executive who grew up in a family of generational manual workers will likely have developed a hard-working, scheduled, and deliberate ethic from their kin. The individual who grew up on the farm will appreciate the need to seize the early morning.
Consider your past and the virtues you have developed due to strong influences, and when stressed and reacting in a way that appears uncommon to you, consider what it is in your past that may trigger such behaviors. Similarly, how can you avoid it and, when needed, get out of any sticky situation?
We are who we are, and regardless of situations and events, there are elements we must embrace.
