I was introduced to two opposing theories when I studied Geography at the Advanced Level. One was Environmental determinism and the other was Environmental possibilism. The former holds that the environment shapes human societies, cultures, and behaviour. It sees human beings as passive recipients of what the environment dictates. On the other hand, the latter suggests that the environment can be exploited, overcome, and transformed by man through culture, technology, and social organizations. Environmental possibilism suggests that man is not simply a victim of his environment.

…your attitude plays a big role in who you become. Those who have a positive attitude can make headway despite the difficult terrain.

Here is a story that illustrates each side of the theory. Two sons reportedly grew under an alcoholic father. One became an alcoholic, but the other did not. Some people asked the first son how he became an alcoholic, and he replied that he watched his father. Later they asked the second son how he had managed to avoid alcohol. His response was that he watched his father! Here we have two persons under the same situation turning out differently. How can we explain such a scenario? It boils down to attitude!  More than the factors of the environment, your attitude plays a big role in who you become. Those who have a positive attitude can make headway despite the difficult terrain. It is one of two ways: either we succumb to the pressure of the environment or allow the spirit within us to rise and take charge. God’s children do not have to get to a state of despair, because our Heavenly Father promised never to leave or forsake us. We can always draw from heavenly resources to make a spring out of the valley of weeping.