Are the concepts that:
a) we are born into a larger story with roles to fulfill, "callings", or even "destinies" which play into the grand story of life,
and
b) we are free to choose how we live and must make wise and responsible choices, that we have the power to determine how our lives play out,
mutually exclusive? Or is it possible for both of these concepts to be true?
And if so, how?
It seems that the human soul (or mind, if you'd like) craves both the idea of having a purpose and destiny in this world, and the idea of having freedom and empowerment.
Are both possible? Or is it one or the other?
Your thoughts???
I personally do not Believe anything in life is Predetermined, Save for Death. I refuse to believe anything even something as powerful as a God is capable of creating an individual plan for every being on this earth. Each one of our lives is a massively Intricate undertaking. You and those you choose to surround yourself conspire in a realistic sense with your environment to shape who you are and the decisions you make. You are in fact in control.
ReplyDeleteHere's the dilemma, in my mind:
ReplyDeleteIf a is true and b is not, then we have purpose but no freedom. Our life has context and meaning, we are part of a bigger story... but we have no choice regarding the role in our story. So why bother? Why bother working hard and trying to change if everything is leading up to some destiny that we WILL fulfill?
But if b is true and a is not, then we have our freedom, but without purpose. Yes, we can make our own choices and live life how we see fit, but to what end? Life has no real purpose or context in this case. It sounds great to say that life is what you make of it or that life justifies living, but that idea doesn't hold up too well when our lives go drastically downhill. So once again, why bother, if there is no real meaning to life?
Either way you reach an unhappy conclusion.
Personally I think that there must be some truth to both ideas but I am not sure how the two ideas work together. That is what I am trying to figure out...
I can think of one way that both A and B can be true. There is a destiny for every individual, but it is forbidden for them to know, with certainty, what it is.
ReplyDelete