None of us would be where we are now without other human beings. We would not be able to walk or talk without learning and observing from those around us and mimicking their actions. I would not have been able to write this without the help from teachers and my parents teaching me how to write, just like you would not have been able to read this if it weren’t for those in your life.
Throughout our life, we join social groups and those social groups form a life of their own, no matter how big or small the assembly of people is. Within these groups, trends are set. Cultures and traditions are made. Random tidbits of information are dispersed. An entire environment is created, an ambiance comprised of each individual within the constructs of your conglomerate. Oddly enough, our very way of thinking sometimes differs as we go from one group to another.
If you’ve heard the saying “you get out what you put in,” you’ve probably heard it said in a way that describes the hard work and effort that’s needed to have the life we all want and deserve. While this is true, this saying can also be accurate when it comes to our attitudes towards our environment. If you go into a situation looking for the worst or interact with others seeking the nastiest qualities about them, chances become exponentially higher that you are going to find them. If you experience your life with more optimism and try connecting with people with more empathy and patience, well, you’re still likely to get hurt, but that likelihood does go down at least. The demeanor you radiate to those within your environment is going to be the same energy you’re going to get from them. If it’s one of vileness and toxicity, who are you really hurting but yourself in the long run?
Another hinderance of our small ecosystems happens when there isn’t enough diversity. I’ve heard people complain that to them, diversity and inclusion is just a fad or trend. To me, however, it’s a necessity to maintain relevance. While it’s nice having likeminded individuals surrounding you, there’s a certain point where moderation dissolves into disproportion and people fall into a rut where they are only hearing what they want to hear and anyone who thinks differently is wrong without any further context or questioning. That’s when vileness and toxicity start to rear its ugly head.
Essentially, (in most cases) we are the ones in charge of our own environment. If you decide to stay in an environment of negativity, that despondence and despair will burn through you like acid. If you’re keeping yourself in a position where you’re always hearing just one side to every story, you’re doing yourself as well as those around you a disservice.