The adult I am today is the very much the product of my previous life experiences -- those include my childhood. Understanding what influences were at play in the formation of my habits, my personality, my beliefs, etc. helps me to know myself better. When I know myself more deeply, I can think more critically about why I do what I do today, particularly what I do that seems to get in my own way at times. The ability to understand the interplay of those influences puts me in control of my life. I can make deliberate choices and decisions rather than feeling at the mercy of random, mysterious, uncontrollable crises all the time. For me it is about full self-awareness and using that awareness to create some control and contentment and peace in my present.