I’ve been thinking about fate a lot lately. I’m not sure if I have enough faith to believe in a destiny controlled by a higher power. Giving over control to a predetermined path makes me feel helpless, rather than safe like I guess it’s supposed to. I can’t bring myself to blame the universe for a bad decision, missed chance, or something I feel like is missing from my life. People talk about finally reaching their destiny but the work and determination it takes to get there can’t be ignored. If someone doesn’t reach their destiny, was it their destiny to not fulfill it or did they not make the choices necessary to get there? Who can really say? Destiny is not laid out for us. Does anyone even know what their “destiny” is until they get there and they feel the big magic of fulfillment? That idea gives me all sorts of anxiety on an existential level. I am constantly thinking,
where do I want to go, where am I supposed to go, is this my plan, do I have a plan?
AM I LIVING RIGHT?
Whenever I get into a stream of consciousness about the universe, I sit down and think to myself about what is real for me and what is something that I’ve read about that’s trying to force its way into my brain.
I think fate does exist. In a more modern, free will kind of way. To me, fate is a combination of chance, opportunity, and that whole “right place, right time” thing. Kamal Ravikant said “life is a series of choices and all we can do is make them.” In all aspects of life, I believe that fate is a combination of your choices and someone else’s choices. For instance, meeting that person, you made decisions to lead you to that point in time and so did they. Really good timing and chance. What is meant to be, will be.
I don’t believe we have a predetermined path, so our fate is comprised of all of our choices. That mentality gives me an inner sense of calm. If you don’t like the future you are barreling toward, change your choices. Make better decisions that align to your personal values. It’s empowering to realize that we are the creators of our own universe. (I mean, of course, we do have to take account the people born into abysmal circumstances that sets their trajectory negatively. But that’s a conversation for another day.)
I guess what I’m trying to say is make the choices that you think are right and with a little luck and good timing, you’ll find your way. It’s a nice thought that we can give up control on timing. We can let the universe handle that one.