>If you dare peek behind the curtain of illusion you will find that we are all the same, part of a whole and no better nor worse than the highest of saints or the lowest of sinners. The difference is how we use what we find to live our lives.

This quote is from a post I wrote yesterday about some <a href="https://steemit.com/philosophy/@tarazkp/evil-and-the-story">experiences writing and looking into the personal dark</a>. Some people think that humans cannot change their nature and this is potentially true but, they can change their behaviours. Behaviours are not only instinctual, there is a learning process involved which means, it is possible to unlearn and relearn, poke and nudge.

>I find you attractive. Your aggressive moves toward me... indicate that you feel the same way. But still, ritual requires that we continue with a number of platonic activities... before we have sex. I am proceeding with these activities, but in point of actual fact, all I really want to do is have intercourse with you as soon as possible. -John Nash (A beautiful mind)

https://i.imgur.com/1IcXvA4.jpg

Now, logic itself is all well and good but, it has very little effect on changing behaviours as behaviours are tied to an emotional view of the self, an egocentric narrative. Most people have a view of who they are based upon what they do, *'I am a...'* statements. But, what we do can change and at times, those changes can be rather drastic.

I have a friend who was inactive and by her own admission, 'very depressed and didn't want to go on'. She got an aggressive form of cancer. Perfect, her wish was granted, she could just lay back and let it consume her. Did she though? No. She fought and when she eventually came through the other side with the understanding that at any moment it could return, she chose to live those moments happy and usefully. She said recently, *'I now understand life. I have changed who I am.'*

No, she doesn't, no she hasn't. What she has changed is her attitudes and outlooks toward life and the narrative of how she sees herself. She adjust *her* meaning for existence. The universe however likely cared no more or less for her or her actions than it had previously.

The narrative we hold over ourselves is important for our actions but, it is an illusion based on delusions if one looks at it logically. In other words, life may be completely pointless. However, is that any way to live?

Now, a culture, society or community is made up of an eclectic range of people, each with their personal narrative and behaviours that try to support it. Within each individual is a degree of conflict in these points, *'I want this and that, but if I have this, I can't have that'.*

What is a person to do when one's own story and set of wants is incompatible with itself? Well, in my opinion, it is to slowly chip away at the conflicts within and find ways to improve our behaviours. This is part of the personal evolution of us as individuals. 

However, this has an effect on our environment as every movement (change), has a consequence. In a community, our behaviours effect the thoughts, words and actions of others in various ways and will inevitably impact on them also. This is partly how shifts in group habits, traditions and cultural rules shifts over time. This is the evolution of society.

But, evolution of a species itself is dictated by the larger environment and is pushed and pulled depending on our ability to use the tools available from the past to manipulate the immediate requirements. As far as we know without bringing aliens into the conversation, humans are the most adept adapters *and* the most skillful influencers of our environment so, rather than being passively pushed, we can actively direct our own evolution.

This has obvious opportunity for both flourishing and destruction of humanity and the things it has influence upon but, it is a continual shift nonetheless as if it stops, if it is unchanging, it is dead. There is nothing long with death but again, is that anyway to live?

For the most part, I am not logical in my thinking yet, I have not met anyone who truly is as they subscribe to some reference points under the assumptions that those reference points are solid. The only logical premise that seems to hold true is that change is inevitable and that *must* be applied to all things. This includes people, society, culture, rules and most importantly for all of those things, the narrative of the individual.

We all have the capacity to change, we all have the ability to shift our perceptions, imagine differently, negotiate our methods, discuss our thoughts an shift our behaviours. But, this doesn't mean that there will be a smooth path to do so, that all have the same toolkit available or, will be granted the same access of support. Equality is impossible.

It is impossible as to have equality means all are the same and all are in the same position, with the same this, that and the other thing. Evolution means change, growth and difference and it is impossible for every point to simultaneously and instantaneously change uniformly. Evolution itself is not fair, that is the way it is designed.

But, having said this, we as a community able to direct ourselves to some degree need not be completely bound by randomness of design as randomness of design has granted us special access to have heavier influence over how and where we walk. Potentially, at the core of things, we have no choice in the matter but from an experiential perspective, we do as we are able to change our narratives and therefore, behaviours to some degree.

Is this evolution a fast process? Not particularly considering the life of a human but considering the evolution of a species, we are evolving faster than crocodiles. Does it lead to a utopia of some sort? Not necessarily it is just as likely to lead to our annihilation of ourselves and planet. Why bother trying to change if change is inevitable anyway? Directed change vs Random change is different as is a life led by instinct or one lived under examination.

My narrative is that we as individuals and members of a society can change our behaviours and it is the discussions we have with ourselves and with each other that will slowly shift us onward. I might be wrong and even if correct, I am unlikely to see much movement in my lifetime but, to stand back as an observer and *believe* one doesn't have an impact on the system is *'No way to live'* according to the story I tell myself.

The belief that I am not set in stone is what helps me move. True or False.

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]

Now, I have to get off the train.