I had a conversation with someone last night who asked me an interesting question. He asked me if I believe in destiny...or fate. At the time, it was a difficult question to answer, but, after having the night to think it over, I've decided it's time for a rant...although it's not really a rant. It's more like...an explanation.
What I believe is this:
We each have a path...one that we are predestined to follow...but this path has twists and turns and every once in a while it forks. At these forks we are given a choice of which way to go and the way we choose determines our path from that point on.
So really, what I believe in is sort of a mixture of fate and free will.
Nothing is set in stone. We're not born to a future already completely mapped out for us. When we're children, the choices aren't ours. We have no control over which fork in the road we take. Our parents choose for us...sometimes badly. When we reach adulthood, our parents simply drop us off at the point they've brought us to and we're left to find our way from there...or get lost trying.
Our only guide is our own moral compass...and that's not always so reliable. What we really need is a moral GPS system, but I doubt that technology is going to come along anytime soon, so we're left to do things the old fashioned way.
If we choose the right way our reward is happiness...peace...contentment. If we choose the wrong one, well...you get the idea.
Time after time, in the past, I've chosen the wrong road. Once you make a wrong turn, it can take quite a while to find your way again...and there are no maps. This is uncharted territory, folks...and don't let that hitchhiker standing on the side of the road tell you anything different. And, for heaven's sake, don't pick him up. In this day and age, those guys can be dangerous. I've learned that the hard way. I count myself lucky I haven't ended up on the side of the road, broken and bleeding, naked and defiled.
But I've come pretty damned close a few times.
I don't know where my journey will end, but I have my own ideas about where I am trying to go and on who's doorstep I'd like to end up.
I just hope he leaves a light on for me...because it's getting pretty dark out here.
