Experiences

It seems that life is comprised of a myriad of different experiences. Some good, others bad, all of which are highly subjective and relative. Love, pain, joy, happiness, fear, passion, violence and desire. The list is endless. Each helps shape who we are and what we will be. Yet how far do such experiences shape our ultimate paths in life and the decisions we make? Does someone's experiences in childhood and at that formative age ultimately determine where they end up? Do our parents and their choices (or lack of) on our upbringing provide clear reasons for who we are? How does one experience effect others that follow after it?

Again I have no answers, but it seems to me that a pattern is emerging. The problem is that I can't quite see what it is yet....