Environment

In the 1980's, two social scientists came up with the Broken Windows theory.  The idea was simple:

Consider a building with a few broken windows.  If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows.  Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.  

Throughout the past few decades, the theory has been put into practice; government officials focus on cleaning up visible crime, and rates of more heinous crimes dramatically decrease.

What this theory shows is that our environment effects us.  Over and over again, *studies have shown the dramatic impact that the things we see, hear, and experience have on us.  Yet, we always seem to think we're the exception to the rule.  We feel that advertisements don't affect us.  The mess in our room doesn't bother us.  The music we listen to doesn't change our behavior.  But here's the thing:

IT DOES.

There's really no disputing it.  Who we are and how we act is, in large part, determined by the world that surrounds us.  This doesn't mean we don't have any control, however.  In fact, I think it means we have more power than we realize.  There is so much in our environment that is under our control: what we watch and listen to, how we decorate our room and home, what we read...the list goes on and on.  

Imagine how much our lives could change if we just changed out one negative or neutral thing in our environment for one positive one.  

One motivational song on your playlist for one sad one.  

One inspirational quote instead of an angry youtube comment.

One can of your favorite color paint on a blank wall.

Who do you want to be?

How will you mold your environment to help you get there?

The possibilities are only as limited as you are.

*Potentially my biggest pet peeve is when people say this without quoting any specific studies, essentially spreading information they don't know the validity of.  I promise I know what I'm talking about here.  You don't have to take my word for it, though.  Just read this, this, or this.