Everything in life from the mattress we sleep on, to the shoes we wear is a result of manipulation. Music and dance have a huge impact on what we think.We would like to think we are above being influenced, and our ego tells each of us we are our own person and unique, but when it comes to the influence peddlers it is not always true.

It is important for you to carefully examine what you think and why. Your individual identity and the choices you make in your life should be your thoughts and not external manipulation. The point is not to become a rebel learning new ideas for the first time, but to be aware of meanings behind everyday interaction.

If it were not true and we were above being influenced, and having our opinions changed, we could go anywhere in the world, and live like the locals. The fact is we can not. Travel shows filmed in exotic locations, partake in obscure foods, and television in the genre of F. Factor prove this is not possible for us.

In your own life, where are your Doc Marten boots? What was your favorite cereal as a young child, what is it now? What music did you used to listen to? How has your world view changed?

I covered a lot more than I thought I would, and yet I barely scratched the surface of active listening and active thinking. There are many resources on the web if you want to learn more. The local library and book stores also have wealth of information that may be of value to you.

Many of these changes are external to us, but we internalize them. Think about the hair style of any adult woman in your family who is over thirty? When is the last time they changed their hair style? How many variations have you gone through over the last five years alone?

Being influenced and influencing others is a part of our nature. Knowing you are being influenced is important in keeping your life going in a direction you choose.

Other posts of possible interest to you are:

Thinking and making good decisions, pass it on!

Belief and a child’s thinking turned adult