Propensity of Life

Propensity is a natural inclination, a leaning, a natural tendency to behave in a certain way.  Society has a natural propensity to complain, to focus on what is wrong, and to be negative.  It seems natural for people to complain about the weather and that life is not fair.  Why is the natural inclination to see the bad and hurt?  Many people focus on the negative aspect of their lives which produce anxiety and depression.

Your propensity for life begins in childhood as you develop your foundational principles to guide and direct your life.  These are based on your family, your environment, your faith, human nature, influences from society, and friendships.  Over time, you believe this is who you are, and you accept these tendencies as defining yourself.  Sometimes these inclinations are influenced by others, especially your primary person in life. When life changes with loss, you rarely revisit these inclinations because they are integrated into who you believe you are.

When changes occur and people leave your physical presence, you need to look deep within yourself to figure out who you now want to be.  Propensities can change and will change because of loss and trauma.  Your natural inclination may be to see the good and look for the positive in life which may have been influenced by your parents or grandparents who saw the good in life.

If you have a propensity for something, it comes naturally or just something you do regularly.  For example, you may have a propensity to make people laugh, to give gifts and be generous, or a propensity to get angry when things do not go your way.  It may be difficult to change this inclination, but it is possible when you are aware of it.  Some are good ways that you want to keep and develop while others are negative that need to be softened and reframed.

Your propensity is also your preferences in choices, situations, and style.  You may be naturally reserved and shy around people or you may be loud and the center of the conversation.  It is recognizing what is healthy for you and do you want to change your natural way you interact with others? 

You may lean toward being rigid in your spending or you may love to shop and buy and spend.  This choice may have originated from your childhood.  Some of your tendencies may come because of your parents.  You either follow their example or do the opposite because you did not like their way.

Many times, a propensity of life just happens without thought or awareness.  Sometimes it is good to pause and reflect on why you do certain things.  For example, is your style of clothes really who you are or did it just happen without any thought or reason?  Do you naturally follow what other people believe and how they respond and accept negativity and derogatory language?  Is your natural inclination to judge, be quick to anger, and be negative? 

Maybe it is time to take the pause and look at how you are responding to life and situations just because you always have done it.  Be proactive and decide how you want to show up and who you really want to be. What is your propensity of life?

Elaine’s website – www.livinginthedifferent.com

Elaine J. Sturtz

Living In The Different