What makes you you?

I was just wondering if anyone cares to recall what makes them them, like what influenced you when you were a little kid that makes you the way you are.

For me it was the fact that my mother and father were always either gone or working. (divorce is quite common in the U.S.) I was raised by my old grandmother who I actually saved her life one time...sortof I found her when she had her first major stroke, and no one else was going to be coming over that day...I feel really bad though, I hadn't intended to see her, I went to her house to get something, and tried to avoid her lol...but she whispered my name, it was the most horrifying experience I ever had, if you've ever seen someone on death's bed, then you would know what I mean, now imagine that you are 4 years old or so, and your parents aren't home, and you just came from your own house that is atleast 10 or 15 minutes walk home lol not the funnest time. I had to run to the nearest neighbors to get help for her, she was incapable of even moving. I feel rather ashamed for saving her life though, she kindof had a very poor quality of life after that, but i'm told she was thankful for me saving her life, so I dunno. I didn't really do much though, just ran for help X.X.
I also lived very far away from the city, with no kids my age to hang out with, my brother was four years older than me and delighted in torturing me. He would do things like, tieing me to a tree, and leaving me there for hours, with duct tape over my mouth.
He would also give me a shot to numb my face while I was sleeping, so when I woke up I would be confused about why my face was numb...
He was a jerk I guess heh.
There are other things I suppose that influenced who I am, but I would imagine that thse things, and the fact that I was alone most of my life, would explain why I am who I am today.

How about you?

What a great question! I'm marking a place here so I don't forget to come back and answer it. Not enough time right now.

pharaoh43, has been reported for spamming. Please ignore his posting and do not respond to it.
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Lol here I was thinking someone had taken an interest in the topic.

The question isn't are you an individual btw. The question is, look at your past, and actively describe what it is that formed your philosophy in the way that you live. Like, are you a happy person, a sad person, EVIL person, good person, honest, etc..

To start here's a quick background on me.

When I was younger, all my family, immediate and extended all lived within a mile of each other. As a result we were very close personally as families go. I was brought up in what is a rough area, the house we lived in had a six foot fence around it to keep the idiots out. We finally moved out when my Dad (who is disabled) was beaten up shortly after coming out of hospital.

I never intended to follow the path that most of my age group went for, and worked hard to avoid it. Most of them have ended up on drugs, involved in petty crime etc. Of the 60 or so of us in two classes at Infant school I can count on the fingers of one hand those of us who turned out as well adjusted adults.

18 months ago, I went to hospital for an operation to cure an irritating urinary condition, which should have been day surgery. I ended up in hospital for a month after very nearly bleeding to death (to such an extent my next of kin was called in the middle of the night and told "get here quick") It took me a long time to recover fully, and it scared the hell out of me.

I now have a civil service job and a share in a small business with my brother. I've tried my hand at various hobbies including flying light aircraft, and found something I really enjoy, and something which I must keep doing.

I have also kept a link to my past in the fact I bought an old Jaguar like the one my Dad used to have when I was young. Day trips and holidays meant most of my happy memories were associated with the car.

The effects all this has had and why it makes me?

I am a strong family person. I'll back family through thick and thin even if they are in the wrong. I have a strong sense of fairness and honesty, which sometimes gets me into more trouble than I'd like. I treat others like I'd like to be treated and don't like foul language. I don't put things off, if I want to do something I will, and if it's worth doing I'll work for it as far as I need to.

I place a strong emphasis on keeping a positive outlook, I'm not stressed out or upset. I think this reflects in my relaxation, I sleep well, dream well, and haven't had a nightmare in years.

In short, I'm a happy person content with what I've got.

Regards

Rich