“Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.” Plato. I would add a few to his list but by doing so I am not suggesting that I am smarter than he was, just want to expand the concept just a bit. I would add to his list; your early environment, the people you surround yourself with, your ability and courage to take responsibility for your choices, actions, decisions, and behavior, and your spiritual nature. Which of the previous items in his list and mine do you think were the most influential or impactful in your life? Why did you choose them? I’ll give you mine. Your spiritual foundation. I’m not talking here purely about religion, but how you integrate your spiritual virtues and/or values into your daily routines, behavior, and all of life’s actions. And one final thought – do you stick with your grounding behaviors, beliefs, values, etc. regardless of your circumstances or people who cross your path, or do these waver depending on who or what is in your life whether for the short or long term?
“Don’t let other people tell you what you want.” Everyone, once they land on earth has a life to live. Yes, some folks live it with stupidity while others live very wisely, and some throw it away for any number of reasons or motives. The question is what or who determines the quality of each life as it goes from year to year and decade to decade? There are parents or caregivers, teachers, spiritual leaders, friends and bosses and spouses and customers, and even strangers and now and then politicians. During my life, I have had all the above tell me how to think, walk, drive, sell, eat, make my bed, pray and this list is endless. Let me ask you when you take a close look at who you are, how you behave, and what you believe – who or what was the most influential? And in hindsight was their guidance, rules, etc. in your long-term best interests? Or, did you have a few folks that might have sent you in the wrong direction? It’s simple – You (plus everyone who has ever been in my life) don’t have the right to tell me who I should be or who I should become. Yes, you can give me counsel, advice, guidance, and even discipline but in the end, I am me and you are you and we all have the right to be who we can be. We are living in times where society is doing its best to control, modify, mold, or change us – be careful you don’t lose you.
“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” Anne Frank. If you have read the above items why not consider this quote by Anne with some of the previous ideas and see what you come up with? A quickie – How do you define happy – is it where you are, what you are doing, who you are with, what you have, or something else?