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Our true self
It's an old debate, ya know the one...can you truly see something for what it really is, because your presence always has an influence on your surroundings?
Usually, this debate is based on hidden camera documentation, watching and studying nature, trying to capture "in the wild"
The twist here is....is there such a thing as "being yourself" ?
It seems humans will always be concerned, even obsessed with what other humans think of them, so much to the point that "not caring what anyone thinks" is really just another example of other people having an influence on our behavior.
We are influenced from birth, even conception. (DNA, genetics, the mother's diet and lifestyle... what interactions we have with our world and everyone in it)
As long as we are all human, we all continually or at one time or another, have the need to be loved, liked, accepted or the need to stand out, be noticed, be "unique" , be heard....can anyone ever truly, be themselves?
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| February 26, 2010, 14:57 |
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Re: Our true self
I cann't address how others act in any situation. I've gotten to the place where I approach everything in a relaxed manner. No matter the situation.
Irregardless of how stressful the situation, I've found that being relaxed and even making jokes when things don't go well is a big advantage.
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| February 26, 2010, 22:45 |
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Re: Our true self
You've got a good outlook, and a good sense of humor JC...
I think it's possible to be "yourself" but I just don't think it's possible to not really care about what others think...unless your a psychopath devoid of basic human emotions.
Maybe it's just that we don't want to care, but....we do.
We all do at some level.
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| February 27, 2010, 02:04 |
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Re: Our true self
At work i can never truely be myself as i have to stay calm and polite at all times even when i have a parent yelling at me for no good reason lol
I am very good at talking them down and making them back down really quickly so that is good,
I like to have the last word, but in that situation i can't, and i hate that lol lol
Most of the time i will be myself, so what you see is what you get with me, and if you don't like it, well thats your loss not mine!!!  
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| February 27, 2010, 15:07 |
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Phil6969
41 / male
belfast, Ireland
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Re: Our true self
Ahh philosophy, a favourite of mine. U raise an intesting question, but it depends what u mean by "self". We are highly adaptable creatures that will shift and change according to our environments. To a certain extent we are born with a personality depending on our dna and brain chemistry, but througout life as we grow, learn and experience new things our personality changes. We also establish certain attitudes towards things, be it in religion, politics, even love.
So "the self" always changes and adapts but i think you are truely most your self when you follow your own beleifs, attitudes and morals of your "current self", and you dont lie to youreslf or conform to your current environment or the people around you at that time. (say at a posh dinner party where u feel u have to act a certain way). I think thats what it means to "be yourself".
Thats my views on the subject, any opinions?
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| February 27, 2010, 15:11 |
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Re: Re: Our true self
QUOTE (Chazzy @ February 27, 2010, 02:04)You've got a good outlook, and a good sense of humor JC...
I think it's possible to be "yourself" but I just don't think it's possible to not really care about what others think...unless your a psychopath devoid of basic human emotions.
Maybe it's just that we don't want to care, but....we do.
We all do at some level.
I think many people say they "don't care" as there's nothing they can do about the given situation. I do care about those in unfortunate situations they have no control over. Those that are in situations of thier own making,---well, that's another matter.
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| February 27, 2010, 20:30 |
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Re: Our true self
JC and Phil... you hit the head of the nail, bravo!!! 
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| February 27, 2010, 20:44 |
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GG317
60 / male
Bowl of Granola, Massachusetts, US
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Re: Our true self
I'm always told to just be myself...No, your not!!!...Shut up! The both of you!... 
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| February 27, 2010, 23:50 |
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Re: Our true self
Good reading Phil..the one point I would want to elaborate on is....that we think we don't lie to ourselves, we probably don't, but we (humans) do rationalize and we do it allot. I guess that's part of our nature...to rationalize. It's always "blah blah blah..but I had a bad day....but you pissed me off...but I've been under so much stress lately....and blah blah blah"
We may not lie to ourselves, but few humans can really face up to themselves without rationalizing and justifying the crap out of our own actions. If we cannot face up to our selves, then it must difficult to be true to ourselves?
(I'm with ya, Phil....love love love the philosophy....cuz every mind has it's ever changing perspective)
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| February 28, 2010, 01:30 |
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Re: Re: Our true self
QUOTE (GentleGiant388 @ February 27, 2010, 23:50)I'm always told to just be myself...No, your not!!!...Shut up! The both of you!...
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| February 28, 2010, 04:11 |
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Re: Our true self
Johari Window is very interesting.
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| February 28, 2010, 20:05 |
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Re: Our true self
Yes it is....but it's still kinda sad, or just perplexing maybe...that people require therapy sessions, interpersonal exercises and methods of all kinds to just be taught to own up to what is going on in their own heads.
If our rationalizing isn't enough, then we ("we" always meaning humans)we surround ourselves with others who like a crutch, we can lean on, rely on and depend on to rationalize for us too.
Ah, we're complex animals.
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| February 28, 2010, 20:24 |
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Re: Our true self
Indeed, all of us are unique and our own individual.
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| February 28, 2010, 20:26 |
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Re: Our true self
Oh sure, each is a unique personality, but we are all the same animal.
A meaningful quote I've never forgotten....
"Nothing human is alien to me"
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| February 28, 2010, 20:40 |
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wandering5tar
53 / male
London, England, UK
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Re: Our true self
QUOTE (ticaD @ February 28, 2010, 20:26)Indeed, all of us are unique and our own individual.
I'm not.
I'm for crucifixion...
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| February 28, 2010, 21:03 |
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Re: Our true self
Wandering, you're bit of a rare one...you are secure and confident, but you don't come off as arrogant. You have balance (and an incredible sense of humor as well)
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| March 1, 2010, 01:55 |
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Phil6969
41 / male
belfast, Ireland
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Re: Re: Our true self
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| March 1, 2010, 18:38 |
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