No. 59 - Behavior * Habit

Our behavior is so much a part of who we are that in many cases it precedes us. We are characterized by the way in which we conduct ourselves and this, to most people, represents who we are and what is important to us. We may demonstrate a profound patience in the midst of some major storm in life. We might demonstrate some deep anger as we act out against those we perceive are "out to get us". Or we might be known for our humble regard for humanity and our soft approach to engaging with others. These behaviors, and many others, all help to shape how others think of us, and they help to create expectations.

But what of our habits? Is there a difference between the two? We may wake up and jump out of the bed, filled with energy every day while others might want to roll over and sleep for another hour. We might want to say hello to people we pass in the streets while others would rather hold their head down, lost in their own world. These habits do the very thing our behavior does... they help others establish the way in which they regard us.

Behavior * habits. How is it that so much of what we do as inter-connected humans can come from such an integral part of individual life? Was the human being created with the full knowledge that our behavior * habits would be so central to our individual identity? And how does this relate to (or impact) the many challenges we face as a society on the verge of major strife and sacrifice?

I say this intimately integrated part of human existence has far more to do with the world around us than we would normally want to consider. Far more indeed, yet not in the way we might imagine. All too often we externalize the world, the problems we all face - after all, we are community - and the way in which these social challenges must be overcome. We rather point the finger and reason that this person, group, mentality, or cause is the source of the crippling challenges which plaque all communities. We take an off-hand approach to solutions because we spend so much time talking and considering, plotting and staging, reviewing and assessing that we rarely are able to respond to the needs of the community in a timely fashion.

Worse, we give away our power to impact our community for the good when we sit back and accept some unfortunate "produced reality" instead of wielding our individual and collective power to affect some needed change.

So what of the internal (individual) aspects of behavior * habits?

I think we all have the capacity to become the initiators of the change our community so needs. I think genius, persistence, integrity, vision, and heroes abound in our community and we have but to acknowledge these things for them to be raised to a greater level of respect and appreciation by all.

Yet, the question persists: What of behavior * habits?

Well, I think there is an obvious truth, and a real solution to how to move forward towards building the kind of community and family that we all want and need. I think, all too often, we cannot see the forest for the trees... we are so close to the destiny that we cannot see we are there.

What am I saying? I'm saying all of the things that must be done, that are crying to be done, to build strong community by overcoming the "systems and obstacles" that we have been so anchored to, will only be overcome when we make a conscious decision to roll our sleeves up and do what is needed to build up, safeguard, re-create, and sustain our communities. We have to make the choice to do so, we have to be willing to do the work of engaging our communities, and then we have to make a way to bring our people together around doing good for all.

Ultimately, we have a supreme responsibility. I have to behave my and you have to behave your habits.