What gives you direction in life?
We may claim to be master of our own destiny and that we chat our way, but the truth is that our lives are dictated by circumstances around us. For example our parents have great impact on what becomes of our lives. Where we are born, the school we attend , government that rule our nation, our history, our religion, philosophy held by our people and our source of income can determine in large extent what we direction we follow in life.
And the social function you attend determine what kind of people you meet what in return determines your inner, middle and outer circle of friends. Again what we find ourself doing was determined by what school we attended and what course we took and that dictated who influenced our lives and that was something that depended so much on our parents not us.
Most people’s lives are characterized by a mix of routine, relationships, work, and personal pursuits. Here are some common elements:
Work or Career
For many, a significant portion of life revolves around employment or building a career. This includes activities like going to work, meetings, projects, and professional development.
When we find ourself in a given employment, we will always scheduling our live activities around that job because any other thing we want to do that is not work related will be determining by whether we are free from our daily work or not. When we are invited to go somewhere in a social function, we must check our schedule and see if our boss will be requiring us at work, or there is possibility of us getting a leave. So what we found ourselves doing for a living will determine how our live goes.
Family and Relationships
The people in our lives influences the directions we take in life. Family and relationships play a central role in most people’s lives. The people we hang around gives us ideas, inspire us or influence us in one way or another. If we hang around for sometimes around anybody, whoever they are, whatever they say we get into our mind and influence our thinking which can cause us to make certain decisions. Our lives are also a product of decisions we make. This includes time spent with immediate and extended family, friends, romantic partners, and colleagues and if we live with noble people, we are really blessed. Some people had stayed with relatives that damaged them emotionally or physically for example by raping them or physically abusing them and that caused them to live a life of bitterness, anger, resentment and fear which determines what cause of life they have taken. Some that grew in abusive marriages vowed never to marry. Some made decisions because they were inspired by their teachers or elder people.
There is an old saying that says that you are an average of five people that are around you.
Routine and Responsibilities
When we have bills to pay, our mind focus in that and we may find ourselves having difficulties giving attention to something else when we are unable to pay our bills. All our efforts focuses on the bare minimum opportunity that can help us foot our bills. Daily routines and responsibilities such as household chores, paying bills, and running errands are integral parts of life for many people.
Until you are desperate and very broke, never say you can never do this or that because to a hungry person , every food is sweat and to a thirsty soul, even dirty water is better than none.
Personal Growth and Hobbies
Pursuits that contribute to personal growth and fulfillment, such as hobbies, interests, learning new skills, or self-improvement activities, are important to many individuals.
Health and Well-being
When you are sick nothing else matters, the things admired or wanted by health people are insignificant infront of a sick person. What we consider as delicacies when not sick is the same thing we abhor when we are not feeling well. A sick person will most often seek those things that will make them feel better, they will therefore not driven by ambitions, wants ,ego, needs of affection and admiration or anything else that guides the instincts of a normal person.
Maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being is essential for a fulfilling life. This includes activities like exercise, self-care practices, hobbies that promote relaxation, and seeking medical care when needed.
Want for pleasure
Human beings are always in pursuit of happiness. We are always seeking to feel a gap in our soul and so anything we perceive as having capability of filling our souls with goodness, we will pursue. This comes to bring things like our passions, our hobbies and our interests.That is why most of the things we engage in or do, we often some self interests in it. Human beings are basically selfish creatures and will not engage or do something without some elements of self interest in the thing.Most of people will help you because they want to feel good about themselves, avoid feeling guilt from not helping, to look appealing to society etc. That is where we have religion that comes to convince us to do good to others so that it will be done back to us in equal measures. In this regard, religion tries to convince us that there is some self interests in whatever we are doing to others
Time spent on leisure activities and recreation varies for individuals but often includes entertainment, travel, sports, hobbies, or simply relaxing and unwinding.
Community and Social Engagement
Most often, we find ourselves diverting from our normal routines in order to engage in community welfare. We stop our activities to help others, console them in bereavements, attend their functions like wedding or party etc. If we keep ignoring others when they need us, one day we will need them and we may suffer if they don’t come through for us. In that regard society dictates our lives because it is through social interactions that some gifts have been realized like comedies, singing, good orators and the likes.Many people find meaning and fulfillment through involvement in their communities, volunteering, activism, or participating in social events and gatherings.
Challenges and Adversities
If we find ourselves in a war prone areas or in countries that have high security threats like Israel, the circumstances dictates that we must become an army personnel by virtual of challenges that faces where we are born, whether it is within our interests or not. In traditional societies, all men were trained as warriors to protect women and children from invasions from other communities that sought to spoil them. Countries that enjoys peace have their men share same duties and responsibilities as women and career choices dictated by economic needs rather than natural abilities. Life inevitably involves facing challenges and adversities, whether they are related to personal relationships, health, finances, or other areas. Overcoming these challenges often contributes to personal growth and resilience.
Related Topics
- Introduction to Social Psychology
- Importance of studying social Psychology
- History of social Psychology
- How to study effectively
- Psychology as a science
- Branches of psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology
- The concept of self