Exploring Our Deep Roots – Inspired by Elon Musk

Reading the opening chapters of Elon Musk revealed just how deeply our early lives can shape us. Musk’s story shows a man molded by the challenges and influences of his youth, with much of his resilience, intensity, and even his struggles originating in the foundation of his childhood. This concept resonates with the Kikuyu proverb, “Muti urongagwo wi munini” — a tree is shaped while it’s young. Our formative years are like roots, grounding and guiding us, often without our even noticing the depth of their hold.

But as I reflect on Musk’s journey, I’m struck by a question: What if parts of those roots no longer serve who we want to be? What if our early programming limits us, keeping us tethered to a version of ourselves that no longer fits our vision, our purpose, or the life we want to create? Many of us carry traces of an almost invisible “DNA” from childhood — ingrained responses, patterns, even fears that have become second nature. And, in moments of stress, uncertainty, or decision, these hidden influences can steer us back into old ways of reacting and thinking.

Recognizing these deeply rooted habits can feel like an unearthing. It takes conscious awareness to look at parts of ourselves that seem predetermined and say, Does this serve me now? The process is challenging because these patterns are not just behaviors; they’re almost instinctual, embedded within us since childhood. As adults, though, we have something we didn’t have then: choice. The power of self-awareness gives us a kind of flexibility we couldn’t access as children. With time and practice, we can begin to recognize these automatic responses as remnants of our past rather than anchors to it.

Changing these ingrained parts of ourselves isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about consciously reshaping it in the present. Imagine a tree that has grown in one direction for years but can now sprout new branches. We, too, can create space for new patterns, beliefs, and responses that align more with our present vision than our past conditioning. Over time, even small shifts in how we respond — pausing before reacting, choosing different actions — can lead to a transformation in the way we live, one that respects where we came from while allowing us to become who we truly want to be.

This journey invites us to balance our origins with our potential, using the wisdom of our past as a foundation but giving ourselves permission to grow freely beyond it. In every moment of awareness, we’re not only seeing who we are but also who we might still become.