Shaping Who We Become

What we do shapes who we become.

Our brains are very moldable; they change constantly based on what we’ve learned through experience or otherwise.  In other words, we change our brains in a small degree with every decision we make.  Does it make sense why making good decisions are always important, even when it appears that no one will be affected by it?  The fact is someone is always affected, and that person is the one making the decision.

Because of this, when people become addicted to things (e.g., substances, activities) their brains change.  According to Lewis in a neuroscience article, the brain changes to better enjoy the addiction.  This is a strong influence in the addiction.  However, it is just that—an influence.  Our choices are never determined, even in addiction.  We always have the choice.

But let’s not disregard the influences that affect our choices.  Our biology is one of the many factors that influence us.  However, it is one that follows us everywhere we go.*  Thus, if our very brains change with choice, how important are our choices!

Because our choices are influenced, we must keep in mind what influences us in the directions we want.  That is how we can start on the improvement process: surround ourselves with the influences that will improve who we are as people. 

Once again, choices are not determined by these sources.  Who we are as a person is possibly the biggest factor in the choice process.  For example, someone who has made sure they were not a person who stole probably won’t steal even if the influences around them were pushing in the direction of stealing.  However, if that person chose to have those influences around them often, slowly they as a person will change and slowly stealing will be something that seems like a good decision.

No one is exempt from being influenced.  Rather, we are all subject to it.  As Lewis stated, “biological vulnerabilities are part of what it means to be human.” However, we can control through our active choice what influences we have around us most of the time.  That is how great men and women became great.  They chose to have the right influences around them, and they themselves became good influences because of it.  

* As a side note, I believe that the biological factors are closely tied to our spirits.  This is not to say that things don’t go wrong in this imperfect world (e.g., chromosomal problems, malformations, etc.) but our strengths may stem from who we are as spiritual beings, as well as our weaknesses.  I will write more about this some other time.