This sounds crazy, but I was born in the fashion industry. So, I

"This sounds crazy, but I was born in the fashion industry. So, I probably wore heels by the age of two. When I was two, I would steal my mom's heels." These words spoken by Eiza González offer a fascinating glimpse into the deep influence that environment and family have on shaping a person's identity and destiny. From a very young age, González’s connection to the fashion industry—and the iconic heels she describes—became a fundamental part of her story. The heels, often symbols of elegance, empowerment, and status, became for her not just a physical item but a symbol of the world she was destined to navigate. Her early embrace of these symbols shows us how early experiences can guide us toward our futures, even in ways that seem unexpected or whimsical.

In ancient cultures, such symbols of identity and status were often passed down through generations, just as González inherited her connection to the fashion world. Consider the ancient Egyptians, who revered symbols of beauty and power, such as the ankh and the crown. These were not just adornments but representations of divine authority and societal roles. Similarly, the ancient Greeks understood the significance of physical adornments—such as the laurel wreath worn by victorious athletes. These symbols became part of their identity, shaping how they were perceived in their societies. González’s early association with fashion mirrors this ancient principle: that the things we wear and the roles we assume become part of the very essence of who we are, shaping our identity in ways that are often beyond our conscious control.

In her playful admission of stealing her mother’s heels, González taps into a universal truth: that we are often shaped by the environments we are born into. The early years of our lives, when we are impressionable and curious, lay the groundwork for the paths we will take. Much like Plato’s notion of "Tabula Rasa"—the idea that the mind is a blank slate at birth—González’s story shows us that our first experiences, especially those that we are exposed to in our families and environments, fill that slate. Whether through fashion, traditions, or ideals, we are often influenced early on by the world around us, which shapes not just how we see the world, but how we see ourselves.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, who, from a young age, was deeply influenced by his father, King Philip II, and the culture of the Macedonian court. Alexander’s early exposure to the ideals of warfare, leadership, and conquest shaped him into one of the greatest conquerors in history. His father's influence, his environment, and the symbolism of royalty shaped his path. Similarly, González’s early exposure to fashion became part of her identity and her eventual journey into the industry. The symbols she encountered as a child—those heels her mother wore—became more than just a toy; they were the beginning of a narrative, one that would lead her to her own place in the world of fashion and celebrity.

González’s reflection also speaks to the idea that our destiny is not solely defined by external circumstances, but by our innate drive to connect with the world we are born into. The heels she described weren’t simply objects of adornment; they represented her drive to step into her future—to claim a space in the world of fashion even as a toddler. The ancients believed in the power of symbols—the sword of Achilles, the staff of Hermes, the shield of Athena—each of these items held deep symbolic meaning, representing the character and purpose of the wearer. Similarly, González’s playful act of wearing her mother’s heels wasn’t just child’s play; it was a symbolic act of claiming her identity, one that would eventually align with her true calling.

The lesson that González’s words impart is clear: identity is not something that simply emerges in adulthood, but something that is formed in the early years, often influenced by the world we are born into. The objects we encounter, the symbols we see, and the patterns we adopt in our youth are often the foundations of the identities we later cultivate. As González was drawn into the world of fashion, we, too, are drawn into the worlds we are exposed to early on—whether through family, community, or culture—and those early connections often shape our futures in ways we don’t fully recognize.

In practical terms, this understanding calls us to be more mindful of the environments we expose our children to. Just as González was influenced by her mother’s heels, so too are children shaped by the experiences and symbols they encounter in their formative years. Let us nurture an environment where children are exposed not just to material things, but to values and lessons that will serve them in their journey toward adulthood. The heels may be playful, but they also represent a larger truth: the power of symbolism in the development of identity, and the deep impact of the world we are born into in shaping who we become. Let us, then, carefully choose the symbols and influences we surround ourselves and our children with, knowing they will guide us to our ultimate place in the world.