Ch 3: The importance of communication and language

Your stance in life is shaped through numerous experiences. You are part of a community and that community influence who you are. As an individual we are constantly influenced by others. The teach you what is wrong or right. In most cases, what we think and justify as being right may not be right.
If we look at community, we can say that our family is one group that has an influence on your thoughts and ideas. They help shape your stance and ultimately your identity. For example, your family may be religious therefore you are more likely to be religious.
Friends also influence your thoughts and ideas. They become trusted members who can have a profound impact on your identity. For example, if your friends drink then you are more likely to drink along with them.
Media also influences your identity. Most of the time we are caught up with advertisements and a suggested way of life. You are made to feel incomplete as a human being if you do own the product. This inadequacy is reinforced when friends and others have these products and you don't. For example, you may not have cell phone while others have one. As a result, you may feel anxious and isolated because you do not own a cell phone.
Within our community, language then shapes our identity. It allows us to discuss our experiences. It is a way for us to share our collective and individual experiences. These experiences also shape our identity. They challenge our established beliefs. Words bring order to a chaotic universe. We use language to classify, analyse, theorize, and discuss our concepts and beliefs.

"There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing."
John Dewey

“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives”
Anthony Robbins