You probably know someone who has more than their fair share of trouble. Bad things happen to them all the time, seemingly for no reason.
There are only two reasons people fall into long-term negative patterns (although circumstances vary). It’s either a result of bad choices, or the person is destined to suffer. It may sound cold, but I’ll explain why it’s true.
Is your life determined by Free Will or Destiny? Compelling evidence exists for both sides but the answer is hazy. Your life could be a blend of the two, or it may only be Destiny.
There’s no such thing as a life determined entirely by Free Will because the first ten years of life are almost entirely Destiny. The DNA you inherited determined your hair and eye color, your innate talents, and your susceptibility to certain diseases. Your early years were shaped by circumstances over which you had no control. Your hometown, socioeconomic status, and school were chosen for you, by other people. All of this is Destiny.
When you grew older, you could think, reason, make decisions, and act on them. You may have continued along the path you were already on, or maybe you made decisions that pushed you onto a new path. The paths have unique risks and rewards; there is no “right” way. People have been perfectly happy on both paths.
Follow Your Destiny. Destiny starts everyone on a path, and if you continue with the flow, you’re trusting your Destiny is good. Not everyone’s is. Following your Destiny means taking what comes (jobs, relationships, circumstances) and trusting whatever happens is what is supposed to occur.
At their best, people following their Destiny are grateful and happy. They have a sense of belonging and understanding of their world that can’t be taught. At their worst, they are ’born for bad luck’, as the song goes; they are powerless, envious, and trapped; they are Perpetual Victims.
Gamble on your Free Will. People who begin by questioning usually end up on the Free Will path. Destiny recedes as you make choices that alter your future by causing things to happen.
At their best, Free Will people are empowered, confident, and self-actualized. They’re proud of their achievements and help others meet their goals. At their worst, they are ashamed of failures and mistakes. They regret their decisions, and long for a simpler life.
Switching Paths
Everyone begins by following their Destiny, and most people follow it the rest of their lives. People who are dissatisfied following their Destiny should know it’s highly unlikely your path will change on its own. Some people follow their Destiny for years before gambling on their Free Will.
I was afraid of change and waited a long time to switch paths. And it’s been a rocky road. Sometimes it’s really worth it; at times, despair creeps in.
I found out later you can’t go back to Destiny. Think it over carefully.
