The Power of Circumstance

Is it really possible to completely extricate one's feelings, thoughts, and actions from their circumstances? Is it really possible to understand or give weight to one's feelings, thoughts, and actions during a specific time out of the context of that time? I'm not sure I like the excuses that this idea provides. But at the same time, on what else would we base our choice of feeling, thought, or action? 

 

I suppose previous time's circumstances, providing we gained wisdom or discernment, once upon that time. 

 

I just don't know how to judge exactly what I would or would not feel, think, or do out of the context of all the variables of life. As much as I resent that, I shouldn't. It's sort of what makes each person who they are and gets each person to where they are, isn't it? Circumstance. The bumper and feeder and leader. The mover and shaker and guider and hurdle. The curve and splash and wind and rock and twig and shoestring. The enticement and distraction and disenchantment and whisperer and caution-sign. The weight-giver and weather and pressure and temperature and director of why we do what we do and think what we think and feel what we feel.... I'm not sure what to do about this idea of circumstance and the power it holds.