The nature of "will"
 

I think we all understand what "will" and "willpower" are, though I would like to hear some thoughts realing to "strength of will" and ultimately, why do we not use our will to it's utmost extent?

;)

-SF

because it takes effort to exert your will all the time. sometimes it's just easier to go with the flow.

Re: The nature of "will"
 

I don't understand what you mean...could you clarify a bit?

CSfilm,

Sometimes I can be a little too vague. I was interested in hearing about everyone's opinion on how strong their will is, how someone can strengthen their will, as well as how your will is primarily influenced. Then, on the side, why do we not use our will to it's utmost extent.

...just to clarify, I mean "will" as in a kinda internal power to get things done, not the "hey, I'm dead, heres my stuff" kinda will..

;)

-SF

Will is the ability to accomplish something despite the obstacles you must overcome. Quitting smoking for example takes a strong will. In my experience, will is like a muscle in that the more you use it the stronger it becomes.

Some things are important, some things are not. Will is connected to your sense of what is and is not important. Reinforcement is also important; it's easier to be strong-willed about something when somebody else is there who feels the same way. Harder to do when you're alone.

Beyond that, it's all brain chemistry. Some people are balls-to-wall committed to everything they do, whether it's fighting for a political cause or making sure that there are no anchovies on their side of the pizza. I know a couple of guys like this, and there's no deep inner spiritual quality (or lack thereof) that causes this. They're just built that way.

Interesting. I never thought of it that way.

I think that will is directly related to ones individuality. Group mentality sucks the will from people. A person relies on the group instead of themselves and that will "muscle" gets weak. Once a person understands themselves and decides who they are, their will can then be joined with those of like mind to accomplish greater things. Per the smoking analogy, I quit one day after years of abuse by deciding not to anymore. No relapse, no urges. I found that to wake up in the middle of the night with my lungs aching, then it's not to hard to decide that smoking isn't that good an idea. I guess you could say that will is mind over whatever. "Your Jedi mind tricks will not work on me."