Habituation

Habituation exists as a biological adaptive response to repeated stimuli so as to attenuate its effect. As far as the realm of senses are concerned, habituation has served its role pretty well. We no longer treat the engine noise of the airplane as disturbing and soon fall into sleep, and to those who listen to music while doing other work, you prefer the music to remain in the background of your focus, and thats what habituation has achieved for you.

On the flip side, habituation has been a disservice at times when people take whatever is happening in front of them as being routine. Good things or bad things alike. When you repeatedly achieve success or good results, we start to give lesser credit to our diligence which has brought us there. It is being thought of as something innate and inherent in us so much that we forgot that it was once a cherished object or a prized possession. Yes, we underappreciate those around us. Our mind is seeking for something novel, something different to focus on. What was done is casted to the very back of our mind.

Life is always in abundance. There are always many perspectives to take on a subject matter, always many positions, solutions, and resolutions to take in a circumstance or situation. A multitude of responses to fit our desired aims.People are often stuck in decision making because their minds fail to see the possibilities, a much often product of habituation. We expect the same outcome everytime, the same way of doing things, and even similar mistakes. The only constant in this world is change, unfortunately. And so, our minds should not be set to habituation.

In working on the same piece of assignment, making the same flavour of coffee, or ringing the same doorbell, there are always new surprises. We have to be prepared. Applying it to unfavourable circumstances, we ought to think optimistically about the chain of events that occur. It may turn in our favour anytime. We have to be proactive in seizing control of ourselves and opportunities that arise instead of lamenting and grudging the plate of sour fruits in front of us.

Maybe afterall, its easier said then done. Many people are still on autopilot. Treating people around them the same way it is. Expecting things to turn out nicely and as per default. And when things don't, they place all their attention to the anomaly that occurred, the black sheep that people ofte single out, and the thorn among the roses. Doesn't that sound all too familiar? What if they are not odd? They are just unique and new?

It is perhaps in human's natural tendency to habituate. Since young, we seek safety and security in our caregivers. We try to conceive patterns of behaviour in our environment. We follow rules and norms. We obey instructions and live by our own set of protocols. We may have inadvertently tuned our minds to adhere to a set of standards for everything we do. Thats perfectly fine, because thats what create law and order at a societal level, and peace on a global scale.

But on an invidividual level, we ought to be conscious to the degree of our habituation. Always question ourselves on our thoughts and behaviour. Are they just extensions of previous expectations and experiences?

Things happen for a reason. When we start giving out the right acknowledgement and attributes to the right things and people, we will be on the right track to a happier life.