Character (not the fictional person, but what makes you, you)
I was reading a philosophy paper written by a college student that asked whether character is the responsibility of the individual alone or is it heavily influenced by the outside world. Can we change who we are fundamentally or are we stuck with what we have?As I go through world news, read more fiction, and just plain be aware, I see instances of an Individual honing their character and never relenting from their course. In the same media, I see how environment and the work around us affects us and shapes us everyday.
A neuroscientist stated that who you are with is more important than all the other decisions you make. Moran Cerf at Northwestern University has come to the conclusion that you have to spend time with people whose traits are attractive to you. Then as you enjoy their time, your brain-waves sync and look similar.
What is Family?
My question is: What about those people you have to be with? That boss that is constantly critical or that brother with deep depression or an alcoholic mother? You can't just drop those people, can you?Allowing people bring you "down" or make you feel awful about yourself is certainly both a product of your choice to spend time with them and their choice to be assholes. We may not have a choice in the people we have to work with or the family we are born into. I often say that if a relative or someone you have to converse treats you so badly then even if they are "blood", you should stay away from them.
Conversely, if a friend is close to you as if they were a brother, sister, mother or father, then they are family. You know, that family that hangs out with you, loves you, accepts you, etc. Those are the people we choose to be with and we are lucky to have them in our lives. Isn't that what the true meaning of family should be?
-AG
