Destiny

potential expiration date vs a definite expiration date. How does one meet the other? Is it pre-determined? Does our free will float us through the 'potential' to an inevitable demise, or is the 'end' merely a result of the accumulation of past actions?

One of my favourite quotes: Be careful of your thoughts, they will become your words. Be careful of your words, they will become your actions. Be careful of your actions, they will become your habits. Be careful of your habits, they become your character, and be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.

I love this quote. It creates a very real image, one that puts the individual in the driving seat of hiw own life. This idea of the way life is assembled holds the individual accountable for his own actions- responibility and awareness are key values in this idealogy.

But then there is the idea that some things are meant to happen, and were meant to happen, inevitably. wow. thats a very scary idea to me. It makes me think what would be the real purpose or point of this life, if we were merely spectators of our game and not actual ball players?

Still, there are moments we encounter or find ourselves in which are far too surial to comprehend. Serendipity. Coincidence. 'Godincidence'. Epiphany. We come up with many terms to help define these moments- still, when they happen, when we are found in an exact place and time within space which dramatically effects the future- denying its gravity is ignorance. and calling it something less than what it is would be disrespect.

In short, we are all destined to the same place, that is, death. It is our common denominator, and it binds all men together. (not to be morbid but) We are born alone and leave alone...our relationship with this beautiful world is an ephemeral one to say the least. Needless to say, our time here is not only short...it is counted. The question is- are we allowed to change the counter? Are we in control of the clock? Or has everything already been meticuluosly pre-cursed? If I were to throw myself in front of a car today, or skip work, was it already meant to be? I'd like to think not. But sometimes, its hard not to wonder "wow. I did NOT get here on my own...there might be something else happening"