are we ever really ourselves?

[Gods_Mercenary]

I tand to sudscribe to Freudianism, at least in part, we are driven by a combination of animal instinct and the opposing ideals drilled into us by society, "we" our consious being, plays a referee role, with reason playing little to no part in our decisions.

[nkariem]

I would also have to say that who we are, is largely based on our upbringing/societal norms. but no matter how and where we are raised, there is still that part of yourself which is just 'yourself'.
we all articulate our thoughts differently. i would say its probably a combination of genetics and environment.
the fact that we are all unique, shows that we are all 'ourselves'.

[Deus_ultima]

I think we follow our own path as nothing could have predicted the course of life I'm going through.
I live a life that has nothing to do with anything my family or myself have ever experienced in the past.

[Gods_Mercenary]

You'd like to think so, but it may very well be an illusion. Freud thought so, anyway. You are under an illusion that you are acting on your own, it is really a mix of instinct and unconsious impulses.

[Deus_ultima]

Then they would be self-created as not seen vagely ni any of my family members.

First to speak english.
First to go to uni (only one)
First to move to a different country (only one)
First to and the list goes on...

[Gods_Mercenary]

This could all have been influenced by your family member's values that they taught you, as well as society's influence.

[Deus_ultima]

Nah.
My family is envious (in a negative way.)

My the society I grew up in is one of extreme union power where performance is not encouraged, in order to ensure jobs are not lost. (me and my mates were actually told off for working too fast..the bosses would cut back on manpower if we all worked our way..)

So I guess my decision to exile myself was encouraged by these lazy fuckers.

[Keith Hamburger]

As I was taught by my son, when he was around 8 years old ...

I am a unique and special individual, just like everyone else.

Keith

[Athena]

Quote by: Gods_Mercenary You'd like to think so, but it may very well be an illusion. Freud thought so, anyway. You are under an illusion that you are acting on your own, it is really a mix of instinct and unconsious impulses.

It appears some of us live lives very close a past relative's. This could be values passed through the family, genes, or reincarnation?

I have become increasingly aware that many of us of living our private drama's. This would be Freudian I guess, and therapy should make us aware of them and set us free. However, my sister has been through years of therapy and is still living the same rotten drama. In her mind, she needs to be perfect, and when she has relationship problems, it is because the other person is such a terrible failure. She is sure, we would some how be happier if we were perfect, and this belief creates a lot of tension in relationships. She is so alone and so afraid, I really wish she could change her belief, and she really wishes I would put more effort into being perfect. All that pain and it is all a delusion. Attacking her delusions results in her refusing to speak with me for several years. It is so sad.

Back to the reincarnation idea- in my grandmother's pictures, there was a picture of a woman who looked exactly like my sister, but was a live at a different time. I can image it is possible we reincarnate to resolve our personal problems. Our ability to do so, depends very much on how flexible we are or how much we defend our egos.