Most of us are much more similar than we think we are. Meaning that you take any two people on Earth, and you’ll likely find more similarities than differences.
In fact, there’s a “syndrome” named after this. Early anthropologists would visit “strange” countries, and notice “strange” behavior.
Only the behavior wasn’t so strange. In fact it was very similar to behavior in the anthropologist’s home countries.
They were so used to it, that when seeing it in a “different” culture, it looked new.
A lot of our behaviors stem from common upbringings.
Consider how we shake our heads side to side when we say, “no.”
This is the same in virtually ALL cultures.
Why?
Is there some part of our genetic makeup that makes us shake our heads side to side when we say no?
Is there a “side to side” gene that somehow dominated over the “up and down gene” from ancient history?
Not really.
In actuality, it’s pretty simple.
The first “thought” we have as babies of the concept of “no” comes when we’re full, for the first time.
First we’re hungry. Then we cry. Then we get fed. (This within hours after being born).
Then we’re full, and the raw thought of “I’m hungry, give me food,” turns to “I’m full, no more.”
Except when we have that second thought, our mouths are full, because we’re eating.
So we do the only thing we can. Turn our heads slightly to the side.
We connect the motion (turning our heads to the side) with the concept (no).
Naturally, this is the same in every culture.
Another thing that’s also similar in every culture is how energetic, outgoing, and fearless kids are.
And how reserved, quiet and oftentimes shy adults are.
Just like the “no” example, the reasons are similar.
At some point (at many points actually) we learn that expressing ourselves is not such a hot idea.
Gets us dirty looks, even physical retribution in some cases.
But all those “negative” responses usually come from our parents, or other authority figures.
But in our day to day life, we aren’t dealing with our parents or other authority figures.
We’re dealing with folks just like us.
Which means there’s no reason for that fear any more.
If you’d like to get rid of it, and express yourself with confidence and compassion, check this out:
It’s a two part audio course, one part coaching, one part hypnosis that will get rid of those old fears once and for all.