2025-12-20: We are influenced by our environment

We, as personalities, are largely the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. We may see ourselves as self-conscious, self-aware, and independent. Yet at our core, we are still pack animals. We are strongly influenced by our environment and by the people who form our “pack.”

Unfortunately, as children we often had little or no control over our environment. A dysfunctional home or school can severely traumatize our psyche.

Fortunately, as adults we gain the freedom to choose who belongs to our pack. It is both our power and our responsibility to critically review our environment and, when necessary, "remove" people who intoxicate us with their behavior, words, or ideas.

No one can walk through life alone. We must carefully choose our allies, partners, and companions.

It is also good to ask ourselves from time to time how we influence the people around us. What behaviors, ideas, and attitudes do we teach through our own example?

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