So in personality psychology this week we looked at behaviorism for the 100th time since 1st year. Behaviorism is a body of psychology that believes everything we do is determined by our external environment and past experiences. In other words we have no free will. While this theory has subsequently been replaced by theories such as the cognitive theory, it did get me thinking.
So many people find it easy to define themselves by their past or their current situation, and allow themselves to believe that they can't be any better because of where they are or what has happened to them. Now forgive me for sounding a little cliched but I think this is just an excuse.
I'm not saying the past and present has no effect on who we are. Of course we are shaped by things that have happened to us, but too many people get stuck. The truth is eventually people will stop feeling sorry for you and then you will have no where else to go.
We all have free will, we all have the ability to slowly change our circumstances, whatever they may be. Therefore we shouldn't let anything hold us back from achieving what we want. One of my greatest friends had a childhood some would describe as hell, yet she is one of the most generous, honest, passionate and humorous people I know and she is making something of herself in spite of her past.
Ok, we have probably all heard a story of over-coming adversity to achieve success, but maybe its not about looking at what other people have done, rather look at what you have done with your life. Have you used every opportunity given to you, have you persevered even when things got tough, or have you let your circumstances become an easy scapegoat? I know I sometimes do.
Something to think about I guess.
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