I always had an issue with the quote “you are a product of your environment.” (W. Clement Stone). While I knew there was much truth in it, I had to wonder how a person from nothing could turn that “nothing” into something and become a leader, become sober, become whatever it is they decided to be when the odds where against them due to their environment. How did they, in that environment, turn it around? While I try to look at both sides of everything and weigh and measure all options, and though there is relevance to my questioning, the odds are against those who are predisposed to an unhealthy environment. In the new show I am doing, “A Year To Save My Life” I am getting a chance to see how to make the best out of the environment that you have been given. How to leave the friends that may not be the best, how to turn right to the healthy place instead of left to the place that makes you feel guilty and undeserving of anything good. I am getting reminded of how letting go, one of the hardest things to do, may be the best thing that ever happened to you. We fall in love with our environment no matter how unhealthy or chaotic it is. It’s, for some of us, the only thing we know, but if you want to make changes, the right changes, you have got to change your environment or make the most out of the one you are given. I think it is wise for us to all take inventory and look at what we are surrounding ourselves with. Let us know how you have made changes in your life and how changing your environment played a huge part in that.
Be well,Jessie
I couldn’t agree more. Your environment is where you start. What each person does from there is up to them. You can either let it get you down and keep you down or you can decide to fight for yourself. I think change is always possible. It’s not always easy but it’s always an option. I’ve been through a lot in life already. Several times I’ve had to make hard choices to change my environment in order to pursue health for myself. Some people think that’s selfish. I call it survival. No matter how difficult it’s been, it’s always been worth it. I’ve found that if I pursue healthy boundaries in the relationships in my life then the emotionally unhealthy people tend to eliminate themselves. If I don’t enable their dysfunction anymore they will look elsewhere for someone who will.
Very interesting article. Of course we are products of our environment. To a degree. Like you said how can someone from nothing then become something? I think the answer still lies in from their upbringing in that particular environment. A person coming from nothing, who has had nothing, often has a deeper drive than normal to succeed. It’s what actually drives them. I would call this aspect determination. Another aspect would be called change; what I mean is, do you see a need for change and are you willing to act on it… “I really should stop drinking…” so do you? My two cents.
Steve
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