Writer's Block: Meant to Be?

[qos]

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I don't believe in capital-F "Fate" as a fixed destiny decreed by some external power. I do believe that consequences of past actions, in this life or previous ones, impact what follows. I believe that the gods sometimes set up certain circumstances, lead us to certain crossroads, but that we always have the choice of how to respond once we are in those circumstances. I belive that there are human and natural forces external to our immediate lives that can have a powerful impact on us, but these are not necessarily "the hand of fate" -- just the natural consequences of the decisions and actions of others, and/or of the natural processes of nature.

To me, the freedom of choice -- the dignity of choice -- is essential. We are not puppets. We are not helpless characters in a story being written by higher powers. We can not control all our circumstances, but we can control ourselves.* Even when grabbed by the scruff of the neck and dragged to a particular circumstance, we choose what we will do in response.

Without belief in the freedom and dignity of personal sovereignty, I don't see much purpose in life. If it's all out of my hands, why bother with anything? Where is the meaning in effort, in virtue, in service? What meaning does love have if it's not a free response to the beloved? And where's the fun and adventure if everything is already scripted and the ending is already set?



*Caveat here for those individuals who have chemical or other organic imbalances or injuries that have reduced their ability to be in control. To be honest, I haven't worked my theology out far enough to take those people into account. Feel free to chime in with opinions.

Comments

[watcher457.livejournal.com]

I think that we have been given and/or taught abilities or natural talents through this lifetime and previous ones. The choice is always ours, but we have a skillset that makes going in a particular direction more natural to us. We can resist what we have been trained to be, but life is more fulfilling when we don't.

I also believe that we choose the lessons we want to learn in life and the people we meet are our partners in these lessons.

[wyldlingspirit.livejournal.com]

*Caveat here for those individuals who have chemical or other organic imbalances or injuries that have reduced their ability to be in control. To be honest, I haven't worked my theology out far enough to take those people into account. Feel free to chime in with opinions.

Just like everyone else, those of us with chemical imbalances, brain injuries etc. are here to learn our lessons, evolve and become something greater than we already are.

The Universe doesn't ask more of anyone than we can actually give. Though it damn sure feels like it sometimes!

[nicanthiel.livejournal.com]

I agree. Those with imbalances are just as needing of personal responsibility and self-control as anyone else.

Oftentimes, I've found that they're actually the ones with it most "together" as it were, due to the very fact that they have to fight harder for it. Not all, by no means, but many.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

Thank you both for your perspectives on this.

[druidharper.livejournal.com]

Question: Why does it have to be all or nothing?

Fate...or no Fate?

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

I would consider the consequences of past lives and the actions of the gods as being the middle ground: powers beyond our immediate understanding and control which play a hand.

[mamadar.livejournal.com]

John Michael Greer makes a fascinating contrast in The Druidry Handbook between the past-oriented, limiting concept of fate and the future-oriented, open concept of destiny. Do you believe you are fated? If not, do you believe you are destined?

In a druid exposition, of course, two must always be resolved into three, and the third element Greer discusses is will. There is much good philosophy in that (deceptively short) book.

[wyldlingspirit.livejournal.com]

This! It makes very good sense and resonates for me.