The principles that guide our behaviors do so as thoughts. They determine the course of our lives, our evolution. Our thinking continues daily while we are not always aware of our choices or their consequences. If principles, values, or morality have been designed by a life of fear, regret, uncertainty, or anger, then the fatality will surely "drag some emotional baggage" with them as they proceed into their future. The process of reacting to life events often occurs without conscious awareness. If someone operates from a posture of survival or suspicion, they will most likely alienate themselves from opposing ideas that may possibly include some accuracy or opportunities. Thus the future will be infected by suspiciousness, and some will lose the ability to think in terms of trustworthiness, justice, integrity, or dependability. Being decisive is a good thing, unless the decision was made from a viewpoint of defensiveness, obsession, anger, or disorder. While some defended thinking is helpful, as in telemarketers, political jargon, scammers, and criminals, an overactive defense system can result in missed opportunities. If we feel contrary to our environment, then we most likely will be regulated by it begrudgingly because we give over personal control by being on guard. It is possible to invest too much energy, elan vital (vital force) in the course of defending or disagreeing. We all know the results of the acceleration of opposition! To the extent, that people hold themselves in reserve as opposed to investing in or exploring new concepts, they can forfeit opportunities. Diminish future prospects by maintaining some form of defense that seems safe but is actually holding them back. Eventually, this process can appear as normal and become its own progression into an overly defensed mind. We must at some point consciously monitor our thoughts, thus our motivations, to deal with or adapt to new information even if that information is contrary to what we already believe. It's called being objective. And to do so doesn't mean we have to change our values-it simply means we are being courteous to those who have other views on a subject. To become emotional is an option; however, that sometimes creates even more dissention. Most of the time, we use our observations to lead us toward a solution or answer. But where do our observations come from? Our personal history, which may well have some inaccurate or dated information. If we recognize frustration or misunderstandings, we can govern our thoughts and create better outcomes. We can overcome most of our troubles by doing so, and we can create a better, more prosperous future.