How much is an individual influenced by the events of his childhood? How much do the parents’ dictates, discipline, upbringing, and attitudes affect his life? What is the responsibility of parents in shaping their kids?

These questions often weigh on my mind. Why am I the way I am? Should I revisit my childhood to assign reasons? What was my responsibility in shaping my path? Did I strive to change where necessary and adapt? Did I use my free will to enrich myself? These thoughts keep swirling, often leading to blame placed on karma. Did karma dictate these events and behaviors? Is it really that simple, or is this just a refuge we take to avoid acknowledging our failures in exercising free will?

We often question decisions made long ago: Why didn’t I do things differently? What made me choose that path? Memories resurface, often tinged with regret, as we connect our present situation to past choices: If I hadn’t sold that house then, I would be wealthy now. But are we sure that’s how it would have turned out?

Dwelling on the past is wasted energy. It does nothing to resolve present challenges. Why not focus on the here and now, finding solutions for current issues? This blame game only becomes a destructive force, consuming our thoughts and actions.

It’s essential to learn from past actions, of course, but only to move forward. That is progress. Avoid repeating mistakes. However, deeply analyzing karma and its implications requires more understanding than I currently possess, so I must save that exploration for another time, after equipping myself better.

Every decision at any point is made purely based on the circumstances of that moment: our mood, needs, pressures, and perceived advantages and disadvantages. How can we, decades later, transpose ourselves to that period and judge those decisions through the lens of the present? Once a decision is made, we must live with it, accepting whatever comes with grace. Otherwise, tension and stress will only grow.

Yet, there are things we may have done without adequate knowledge, consideration, or care that we do regret. No way exists to change them now. But if someone has been affected, the least we can do is offer a heartfelt apology and strive to change ourselves.

This is the theme I intend to explore further: understanding past decisions, the influence of upbringing, and the ever-present challenge of moving forward.

To be continued... 76 - What the Kids Did Which I Didn’t - Part 2