Fate

[Graham]

I was thinking about this last night...i was wondering, does anybody believe in it?
is there a pre-determined route for our lives, or are we in complete control?
do things happen for a reason?
is meeting your perfect partner fate?
is getting the job you want fate?

have you ever been in a situation that you may think was influenced by fate?

Discuss, people!

[Luco El Loco]

I think that some things are part of a destiny, but only because those particular events are best for us in fulfilling us.

[static anonymity]

I don't know. I don't like the idea of not being in control. The idea that a job promotion happened not because I earned it nor because I was the best person for it, but because it was predetermined.

In this sense, it's all too easy to slip into the reoutine of not working because fate will look after you - ie that if it was meant to happen then it will, no matter how lttle effort you put into things. Similarly, it's easy to attribute every failing in your life to fate. It's taking the focus from oneself and effectively removing responsibility from individuals.

I apologise that this has gone off on a tangent, and gone a little "heavier" than the thread aimed to delve, but it's this type of thinking that follows on from the fate idea whenever I contemplate the matter, which I sometimes do. I think that's mostly because I do like to know I have some control over my life, and dislike the idea of both losing this control and the right to take responsibility for my actions. (Yes, this was a round-a-bout way of saying I'm not a fate fan. )

[Graham]

we said:

I apologise that this has gone off on a tangent, and gone a little "heavier" than the thread aimed to delve

nah, it's what i wanted to know...deep insights into peoples opinions on the matter, and anything is welcome.

Personally, i think that fate does play quite an important part in our lives, but echoing Ellen's post, i also like to have some element of control ove rmy life, and don't like to think that too many things are pre-determined.
Some things i do think could be - Love, for example...i do believe that fate brings people together, wether it be by circumstances, or just a chance encounter., or just possibly by friendship. By that i mean that possibly fate realising that they are the one....but admittedly, that is a shaky argument.

I suppose what i'm taking the long route in saying is that yes, i do believe in it, but not to the extent where it should rule our lives.

[static anonymity]

In said:

By that i mean that possibly fate realising that they are the one....but admittedly, that is a shaky argument.

Oooh, now I hate that too! The idea that there's one person out there for everyone, and that you can only be truly happy with that person. Because what if you've found something special with someone who isn't "the one"? What if you never find "the one" - does that mean that you'll never be as happy as you could be nor lead a fulfilling life?

Bah, again, it comes back to me hating the lack of control. And the idea that one has to tread a very narrow path, apparently predetermined, to be truly happy with their lot in life.

Also, what if you supposedly find "the one" and things get f**ked up with that? Does that mean you've thrown away your one shot at happiness?

Ooooh, a too-many-question-y post. Joy. Sorreh.

[Luco El Loco]

ruin said:

Oooh, now I hate that too! The idea that there's one person out there for everyone, and that you can only be truly happy with that person. Because what if you've found something special with someone who isn't "the one"? What if you never find "the one" - does that mean that you'll never be as happy as you could be nor lead a fulfilling life?

Bah, again, it comes back to me hating the lack of control. And the idea that one has to tread a very narrow path, apparently predetermined, to be truly happy with their lot in life.

Also, what if you supposedly find "the one" and things get f**ked up with that? Does that mean you've thrown away your one shot at happiness?

Ooooh, a too-many-question-y post. Joy. Sorreh.

In which case I'd say whoever you're really happy with you should be with. Is that destiny? Or... common sense?