Here is the definition of Fate, by dictionary.com:
1. something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune; lot: It is always his fate to be left behind.
2. the universal principle or ultimate agency by which the order of things is presumably prescribed; the decreed cause of events; time: Fate decreed that they would never meet again.
3. that which is inevitably predetermined; destiny: Death is our ineluctable fate.
4. a prophetic declaration of what must be: The oracle pronounced their fate.
5. death, destruction, or ruin.
Sounds kind of bleak. Even in the definition, fate seems to best its players. My main character, Tanzy Hightower, is a victim or champion of fate, depending on how you look at it. She is not fated to complete one action, she's fated to choose between two. Still each choice comes with a price tag.
Are we master of our fate? Are we aware of the price we pay when we make a choice, or does it only make itself known down the road?
I don't regret choosing to stick with an equine business management degree in college. (Not entirely, anyway.) My road here has been long, winding, and sometimes eventful, but I am now pulling from many of those connections to spread the word about Moonlit. However, I do wish I'd minored in either English or Creative Writing instead of Politics. And, if I could go back, there are a few friendships I would not have let scatter in the wind.
What about you? Do you believe in some kind of fate? What choices would you undo given the opportunity?
I wish I'd taken some writing classes too. I had no idea writing would be part of my future back then though. Hope fate doesn't limit us and that we can be the master of it.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe in Destiny...Fates's second cousin...but do believe that a person makes their own Fate! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I believe in fate exactly. I do think everything has a reason and if something is meant to happen it will in its own time based off decisions already made. As far as going back and changing things- well I have made every decision in my life for a reason- at the time it seemed like the best available decision for me no matter what the outcome ended up being. Everything I have done has lead me here. To this point. To who I am right now. I have no regret. Every mistake I made I have learned from, every wrong turn has given me something more. and every right turn has encouraged me forward. I wouldn't change a single thing.... great post.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do think it's comforthing to believe that everything happens for a reason, I'm not a big fan of fate. We're just adaptable and every choice has conseqences. It's easy to look back and wish we'd chosen differently, but at least we can use those lessons in the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of fate either! I do think that we each have gifts, and that we will be happiest if we find a way to use that gift. I also like the idea of all of being spirits having a human experience instead of the other way around :)
ReplyDeleteI believe in free will rather than fate. God might already know the paths we are going to follow, but we still have to make those choices.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would've taken more writing classes, too.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the A to Z Challenge. :)
~Jackie@ Bouquet of Books
I am just not sure about the concept of fate - to me, it seems a completely obvious thing to say "my fate is set". I just don't think you can ever know your fate until it has occurred. But I do believe that everyone's fate is set. Even if we discovered time travel & went back to "change fate", in my opinion that would have been the way our fate was meant to play out all along.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Alex. I believe in a sovereign God who is not surprised by anything I do with the freedom he gives me to choose. I think believing that everything happens for a reason may bring comfort to some but sometimes stuff happens to us and if there is a reason then it is more than likely beyond comprehension. Finite brains really struggle with infinite concepts. Great post Jadie.
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