We are what we think

Or similarly, we are what our thoughts are, we become what often occupy our mind. This has been called, in a simplistic way, the process of character formation. How does this happen? Let’s take an example.

I like to think about humility, how to be humble, and why I am attracted to famous people who are awesomely humble. Because I often have such thoughts, I necessarily speak or write about them, that is, I verbalize and articulate them in the best way I can.

And because I like and enjoy speaking about humility and on everything about it, I then act on it, so to say; that is, I feel compelled to behave humbly in order to be credible. In other words, I en-flesh my humble thoughts and humble words into humble actions, actualizing humility whenever and wherever I can. When thinking, speaking and acting in a humble way is repeated often and seems to have become so spontaneous that I have acquired a humble habit so much so that many see humility as a second nature. My person is now characterized, or better, a new character has been developed and has grown into what is called a virtue. Truly, I have become what I think.

This is what we call the process of character formation or way of personal transformation. So the stages are Thoughts, Words, Action and Habit. This sounds simplistic but there is no other way. This process can be structured and is being done in religious, social, political, economic and cultural institutions. As some commentators say, this is the essential way to radicalize a human being. It can be used for good and bad purposes.