"A lot of times you're just conditioned by what's around you"

In this quote, Ruben Blades is highlighting the concept that our surroundings and environment have a significant impact on our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. He suggests that we are frequently influenced and shaped by the people, culture, and society that we are exposed to. This conditioning can be both favorable and unfavorable, as it can lead us to adopt specific behaviors and attitudes that align with our environments, however it can likewise limit our perspectives and impede our individual development. Blades is reminding us to be aware of our environments and to actively question and challenge the conditioning that might be holding us back from reaching our complete potential.