Isn't it amazing how easily conditioned you can be by repeating the same thing for so long that it becomes "normal" and you wonder how you got conditioned that way? Think about it, if you have the honor and privilege to raise children, you condition them to eat, sleep, talk and act in a certain way because of what you allow and encourage them to do everyday of their lives--and this also includes how you act and talk in their presence. Remember how you were conditioned as a child to be for example: an early/late riser; to be respectful of elders (what a noble idea :)); to say please and thank you without being demanding (imagine that :)); to pray and read your bible daily; etc. You get the gist! You were conditioned by your caregivers and the environment you lived in.
CONDITIONED: "characterized by a predictable or consistent pattern of behavior or thought as a result of having been subjected to certain circumstances or conditions." In Psychology: "proceeding from or dependent on aconditioning of the individual; learned; acquired: conditioned behavior patterns." You are still conditioned by so many external and some internal forces--unfortunately, fear is one of the greatest culprits in conditioning you. However, you can over come fear!
Here you are today, and you've had to make several choices for yourself. As an adult, some choices have been because you now live with someone (spouse, roommate, relative, etc.) so you've had to adapt for the sake of peace and harmony :) Your previously conditioned state is changed to another... but how much do you really change from what you were conditioned to do and be for so many years? The best way to bring about some change is to do it in a subtle manner if you don't want to shock the system and what you have known all your life. Change takes time, and a dose of graces helps the conditioning of positive changes.
As you know, change is inevitable in the different phases of life so sometimes you just get conditioned and accustomed to new ways--even without realizing it. All this to say, what have you been conditioning yourself and loved ones to be and do lately? Are you nurturing a positive and healthy environment that leads to positive conditioning? Are you living in a positive and healthy environment that is conditioning you to grow and be fearless? Have you noticed how you have been conditioned to do some things you never ever thought or imagined you would do or say? Whatever your situation or phase in life, don't be conditioned (or condition others) to be fearful, ungrateful, cynical, always complaining (negative), etc. Instead, condition yourself and others to be fearless, positive, grateful, loving, gracious, etc... all the good stuff!
