Our decisions in life are all too often influenced by environmental factors. The fact that we are “programmed” in so many ways (personality, values, tastes, etc.) might suggest we are largely victims of circumstances and there is no real freedom of choice after all.

“Our genetic programming determines the colour of our hair, the shape of our face, our body type and our aptitudes.

A huge amount of our programming is environmental. Our brain has an incredible array of chemically and electrically imprinted programmes that drive and affect our behaviour.

Our parents, our brothers and sisters, our friends, our teachers and our work associates are the major factors in our programming. We are also influenced by the media—the things we read, watch on television, etc.

“Our programmed Life Principle is dominant in the development of character.

In the twilight of life, it becomes all the more apparent, defining and dictating our actions and reactions.

“We will die as we have lived. People who, in old age, prove quite self-centred and demanding, as well as those who are mellow and tolerant, did not become so only in their last years of life. Old cranks and old saints have practiced all their lives. They have simply practiced different life principles.

Our Programming, that in turn has such an impact on our Life Principle, can so easily be imposed by the other people in our lives.”

“Childhood experiences can influence: the kind of partner we choose, how we function in a relationship, our understanding of a relationship’s open and hidden purpose.”

Getting it Right

A great many of our attitudinal, value and social habit patterns are programmed by others when we are too young and tender to understand what was happening.

Have you ever attempted to get rid of an unwanted habit pattern? Golfers, for example, can develop the habit of a flaw in their swing. Public speakers can develop unhelpful characteristics in their body language.

Do you have negative or even damaging habit patterns you would like to get rid of? Have you discovered the frustration of trying to get rid of unwanted habit patterns?

Do not be discouraged—we all have! We must therefore confront the question of how then we can take charge of our lives.

“Our lives are the sum total of our decisions – whether in business or personal spheres.”

Readers Digest

Many wonder about the possibility of choosing to turn their backs on the mistakes of the past and make a new start. The Bible speaks about renewing our minds

“. . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .”
Romans 12:2, NIV 

Does that mean we can choose to end negative or unwanted habit patterns—somehow reverse the old programming?

Some wonder if our minds can be reprogrammed in the same way we reprogramme a computer—eliminate all the junk from the memory and reprogram from scratch.

Do you find yourself struggling with weaknesses or old unwanted habit patterns?

It is important to identify and confront your own weaknesses and needs as a first step to growth.

While you can’t eliminate negative habits from the memory the following steps will help you:
1. Identify your negative habit patterns.
2.Choose to confront them.
3.Change your thinking and self-talk—note the Biblical quote on the next page, that speaks of focusing thoughts on the good and positive—there is power in positive thinking.
4.Build alternative, positive habits.
Many find the more they struggle to get rid of the old habits the more they are ensnared.

Try to identify two or three positive habit patterns you would like to commence and set dates:

“The habit patterns you feed will determine the fundamental direction of your life.”

Zig Ziglar, Top Performance

“The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably, thought and act.”

Orison Swett Marden quoted in Top Performance

1. Look for the best—positive thinking and attitude.

“Leaders who expect their followers to succeed exert positive influences and obtain extraordinary short-term and long-term results. In addition, their followers feel competent, confident, and enthusiastic. They face their subsequent tasks with the expectation of success.”

J. S. Livingston, “Pygmalion in Management”, Harvard Business Review, July-August, 1969.

2. Now do something

Translate the positive attitude into positive action. William James, the father of American psychology, said we become how we act.

3. Use the positive act as a basis for expanding your self-image.

Our self-image is the key to our behaviour. Change the self-image and we change the behaviour. It even sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment. It defines what we can or cannot do. Expand the self-image and we expand the area of the possible.

Many find inspiration by looking at growth from a spiritual as well as an intellectual, emotional and social perspective.

It is in the spiritual dimension that we find an appreciation for love and the other intangibles of life.

It is here where we come to grips with our self-esteem and ourselves.

The Bible speaks of the core value of life—unconditional love. It points to the love of God—a love that is constant in spite of the rejection and dysfunctional behaviour of humans.

He has demonstrated His love through the gift of His “one and only son” to be the Saviour of all who believe and accept.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

NIV