Lert's face it... one could argue the fact that the reason we do things is because of three things:

1. We're pre-programmed to do them by our environment, or taught by our parents

2. Genetics give us a pre-disposition towards our activities

or

3. Things in our diet have affected the way we think.

Yes, a kid from the Bronx is going to be a helluva lot different from a kid from a quiet town in Canada.

As for genetics, not everyone who is capable of violence is violent.

As for diet... realistically... if you're shooting up crack, you're going to be a little less rational than a guy who lives on water and bran muffins... that's a given.

Still... how "programmed" are you? Take this quick test!

1. Do you hear "You're just like your father/mother" a lot?

2. Do you work in a similiar field as either of your folks?

3. Nobody can get around sounding like their parents. If you spend enough time around anyone, you're bound to pick up some of their nuanes of speech...

but can you carry on a conversation for more than 3 minutes with someone before they realize you're not your father/mother?

4. Did your parents ever talk you out of a field you wanted to move into as "too risky"?

5. Is there a long history of violence in your family? More to the point... are you a violent person?

6. Do you have unrealistically high standards for yourself, due to a feeling of never pleasing a parental or other influential person in your life?

7. Were you one to "follow the crowd", or did you prefer to be by yourself or do your own thing during your teenage years?

8. Do you feel controlled? Do you feel your life can't move in any other direction because of your lack of ability?

9. Does your life revolve around being "good enough" for everyone around you?

10. Do you honestly think that you were born to what you are... or do you feel like you were pushed into it?


Now then... for every time you just said "yes", you might want to confront the source of this issue and/or situation, and promote change using your own desires. The only one who can dictate where your life is going to go... is you.

Some programmed behaviour is good... eat right, don't slouch, things of that nature... it's when you realize that your life isn't where you want it to be that you need to focus on what it is in you're personality that doesn't allow for this change... and where it came from.

This isn't all parental... friends, spouse, kids, boss, co-workers, etc... have the ability to make you think and feel in different ways... the key is to keep it in your head that the only one that can EVER know what is going on inside your head is you... If you're happy, nobody is going to improve your situation by passing along their doubts and fears to you...