What’s going on in our surroundings has a profound effect on us. It’s a serious matter, yet we often overlook it, thinking that everything is fine as it is. You might say, “What are you talking about?” Well, it’s about the people around you and the environment you're in. They shape who you become.
If those around you want to turn you into a "bad person," they can influence you, and before you know it, you’ve become that person. Similarly, if they encourage you to become a doctor, an engineer, or anything else, you might end up following that path, even if it’s not what you truly desire. This is a fact and a serious issue that many of us don’t fully understand.
We aren’t always free to choose our direction in life. Often, we give up that freedom to others—people around us—allowing them to decide who we should become. In doing so, we end up being shaped by their expectations, not our own.
The people who influence us are also affected by their environment, which is shaped by the desires and expectations of society as a whole. I'm not referring to the natural environment here, but rather the environment created by small groups of people who influence others to act in certain ways. This is why I’m telling you that what we do is often dictated by the environment around us and what it demands. If that’s the case, it seems like our dreams aren’t truly our own—they are created and pushed onto us, and we end up believing they are our dreams!
You can understand this with an example: imagine an infant whose parents are influenced by the society around them—one that constantly spreads the idea that a government job is the best career option. People say that government employees earn a lot of money and gain respect. Now, the infant knows nothing about the world, but his parents frequently talk about how their son should become a government officer. So, what do you think will happen?
It’s simple—the boy grows up with the belief that getting a government job is his dream. He adopts that goal because he doesn't know that there are many other possibilities in the world.
Now, I’m not saying that government jobs are bad or that they don't offer good salaries or respect. I agree—they provide job security and social status. But claiming that a government job is the only good career option that brings respect, a good salary, and stability is misleading. And today’s digital age works exactly on that model—yes, it’s true. You might have noticed that if you talk to a friend about buying a new smartphone, then the very next day, your online activity—on Google, your smartphone, and even social media—starts showing you smartphones everywhere. For example, you open Instagram and see smartphone ads. You search on Google and find the latest smartphone releases. Every platform you use begins to show you smartphone-related content.
Day by day, you see phones everywhere. And even if you decide to drop the idea of buying a new phone, you struggle to do so—because you're constantly being reminded of it. In the end, you often end up buying the phone, not entirely by choice, but because you were continuously pushed toward it.
Read More ; The Girl I Never Knew – Chapter 1 “ I met her once… and the next day, she was dead. ”
The Hidden Hands That Shape Your Future
I grew up in the same kind of environment as many of you — one where we never truly question the influence around us. And that’s the biggest issue: we often overlook how deeply our surroundings shape our future. You may be wondering — how do these hidden forces control our direction in life? I call these forces the "Underrated Snakes."
These are people — and sometimes entire groups — who quietly control the narrative of what success should look like. Maybe they or someone in their family found success in a particular career, like a government job, or running a specific business. Then they begin to spread their success story everywhere, turning it into the "gold standard" of what others should follow.
That’s how a legacy of influence begins. They offer advice not because they understand your potential, but because they want to repeat their own story through you. And because they’ve become successful — or at least appear to be — people begin to treat them like gurus. Naturally, we start thinking: If it worked for them, maybe it will work for me too.
These "underrated snakes" flaunt their money, status, and lifestyle daily — and slowly influence others to walk the same path. People, especially parents, simply want success for their children. So they begin pressuring them — or at least constantly suggesting — that they should follow what this small group is doing.
And this is where the cycle of environmental influence truly begins.
These are people — and sometimes entire groups — who quietly control the narrative of what success should look like. Maybe they or someone in their family found success in a particular career, like a government job, or running a specific business. Then they begin to spread their success story everywhere, turning it into the "gold standard" of what others should follow.
That’s how a legacy of influence begins. They offer advice not because they understand your potential, but because they want to repeat their own story through you. And because they’ve become successful — or at least appear to be — people begin to treat them like gurus. Naturally, we start thinking: If it worked for them, maybe it will work for me too.
These "underrated snakes" flaunt their money, status, and lifestyle daily — and slowly influence others to walk the same path. People, especially parents, simply want success for their children. So they begin pressuring them — or at least constantly suggesting — that they should follow what this small group is doing.
And this is where the cycle of environmental influence truly begins.
As a result, the child slowly begins to lose their individuality, creativity, and natural talent. Some may go along with what they’re told. Others may resist. But the painful truth is this: whether they follow the path or not, they often lose themselves in the process.
It’s not about what they choose to do — it’s about why they’re doing it. If it’s not truly their choice, then the outcome doesn’t matter. Because in both cases, their inner voice is silenced.
What We Lose When We Follow Others or Get Influenced by Them
As I mentioned earlier, losing yourself by following others or being overly influenced by them is one of the greatest losses in life. Do you truly know who you are? When you lose your true self, you lose everything. Even if you gain a high salary, a luxurious lifestyle, and the respect of others — what does it all mean if you’re not living as your authentic self? You are not a piece of paper for someone else to fold and shape as they please. You are a human being, and your life story is written by your own karma and choices. Life gives you only one chance — don’t waste it by becoming someone you're not."
If you think losing yourself doesn’t matter — think again. Right now, you may believe that money and respect are everything, and nothing else matters. But that mindset is driven by ego. And remember: ego has destroyed kings — so who are you to think you're above it?
If losing your true self doesn’t hurt you, then maybe you’ve become a machine — a robot following someone else’s commands. And what power or wealth are you really proud of, if it came from following orders instead of following your heart?
Create a life on your own terms. Don’t let others dictate who you should be. Use your own voice, follow your own path, and build your success with your true identity — the one you were born with, gifted by the universe or God
To be continued....