Tell Your Story
We all have been shaped by our personal history, influenced
by associations, family, values, activities, environment and so forth. Our life
story usually guides us on how to respond to the situations we face and which
standards we follow to react to these situation, or in short terms, how our
mind works on our relationship with the world.
My life story was mostly shaped by
non-critical- thinking standards, with some hints of critical thinking. While a
child, I have watched my parents looking for joy. Along with my brother, we all
went out to catch up with my parents’ friends during weekends, on environments
surrounded with a lot of people, music, dance, and always on outdoor activities during the
day. At least once a year, two things could not be missed: theme park and a
holiday at the beach. Apart from that, sports were always present on our daily
life, especially team sport. With that, I can say I was shaped by the non-critical-thinking
standards, listed by Nosich (2012, p. 153), of fun, exciting, feels good and
spontaneous. Some deeper non-critical-thinking standards were there in that
phase of my life as well, such as free and loving.
The
great thing about it is that my parents did not let me grow only with these
standards. The implement of some of the critical-thinking standards were always
present which made me keep my feet on the ground, in harmony
with the world around me. I have been grown in a well-organized and reliable
environment, with plenty of clearness more than just obedience. Everything was
always explained to me in order to make me understand the reason behind the
rules. Honesty was always present as well, meaning it could be fun and full of joy but
never without morality on my actions.
My
primary and extended family played a crucial role in my life story, and how I
responded and still respond to all aspects in my life. I acquired my standards
mostly from them. At school I just learnt alphabetization and all subjects in
order to prepare me for my professional life. Value as discipline and respect
were taught at home, and my parents never counted on my scholar education to
that.
One very
interesting non-critical-thinking standard influenced the way I critically
think indeed: freedom. The fact I was free to think, to say what I though, to
ask, to choose anything I wanted (with my parents’ permission afterwards by all
means), to argue when not agreed (to understand the reason behind), and have
always been explained about everything, made be face the world in a critical
way. These questions were always there: but why, why not, but if, if not, for
what? I had plenty of arguments with teachers, professors, priests, and so
forth. Until I was not convinced with reasonable aspects of a subject, I was
not satisfied.
My standards
did not change dramatically over the years. I just learnt, while in college and
during daily adult life (which still is going on by the way), how to calm down,
to think before saying, to analyze if it is worth arguing or convincing
someone. I have learnt how to choose people I want to be with and environments
I want to go into. I have more obedience, due to my professional experience. I
realized some aspects cannot be explained to me and full stop, which was hard
at the beginning but I have learnt how to live with it peacefully.
Currently,
the way I face situations in my life is more reasonable, logical, rational,
relevant and still deep. Work experience, relationships and life style changed
in few aspects the way I think, but the way I respond to situations is, thus
far, influenced by the values learnt throughout my childhood.
So,
after all, what is the point of going through our life history and understand
how our life story was built? The most important aspect of becoming conscious about
our influences and how we have been shaped is stated by Nosich (2012, p.39):
“That then lays a
foundation for you to become more intellectually autonomous, to gain
substantially more ability to shape your own present and future through
critical thinking.”
Nosich,
G. M. (2012). Learning to
think things through: A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum (4th
edition). Boston, MA: Pearson.
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