I like your article, but its only scratching the surface of the big question "life". We are always changing a bit, not completely, because foundation is based in the early socialization, but I believe, that if you are reflecting your actions, you slowly get an image what you like and dont like, which leads to select the "good stuff" (There are endless possibilities). Then the path opens and brightens :) About selfimage I like Cooley´s theory of "looking glass self", could be worth a glance.