Fate??? Free Will???
Luke, Mary, Julie, Teri, Bonnie
They say when one door closes another one opens. On Monday I closed a sad door. Graduation was last weekend, and I decided not to do the walk (it’s THREE hours long!!), so the reality of being done wasn’t really felt. But when I watched Mary get into their truck headed toward Tennessee, for good. I felt it. Right here (pound, pound)…in the heart.
Which brings me to the question of the day.
Do you believe in fate or free will??
This conversation is hot in out house right now…and it actually started with Mary (yup, girl!). Going back to school was a transition for me. I had been out 10 years before I returned. First time at a University. In a field that is a smidz on the intimidating side. Feeling a bit scared and a little intimidated (yup, I said that already). Then, I meet a person. Second degree. Done the University theng before, organized, prioritized, knows the ropes, warm, thoughful, funny, athletic. My girl!!
Did I seek out her friendship because I subconsciously needed support in the form of a great friend to spend time with, brainstorm with, study with…you know how smokers are just drawn to smokers…they seek them out unconsciously/consciously to supply a need or desire they have. My mind is controlling my behavior.
OR….maybe this person was a planned part of my life. Presdestined. Our friendship was not a coincidence. She is part of the plan of life? Place miracuosly in my life at just the right time to better me as a person.
I’m sure you all can relate to this. Wether it is a person, or a test of character, or what ever…it happens every day in life. What is your name for it???
May 15, 2008 at 5:54 am
sniff sniff….thank you for your kind words…i don’t know what the answer is, but I know I saw you in our first class together and literally thought to myself "i’m going to be friends with that girl because she looks interesting and dresses well and isn’t 18 (although I NEVER would have guessed your real age)" and so I talked to you…..so glad I did and I guess the rest is history=)
May 15, 2008 at 7:20 am
ikes attract likes…kind of like universes plan..everything falls into place like its suppose to..aww you girls make me teary eyed….
May 15, 2008 at 6:30 pm
First off - Happy Graduation!! Congratulations on a wonderful achievement!!
Second - I believe in a little bit of both, but most of all I do believe in kindred spirits. I met a guy at work that, when I looked into his eyes when he smiled, had this look about it that read "remember me?" He then said, "We’ve met before…" and it was kind of an a-ha moment since, we’ve never met in this life, but feel we’ve known each other in another life. It was trippy, and he then fostered my learning of Buddhism and love of marathons. I’m pretty sure he was my father in a past life.
And with discovering your friend - it definitely sounds like you two were (and are!) kindred spirits, as well!
May 15, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I absolutely believe in soul mates, kindred spirits and past lives!! I have been blessed in my life to love and learn from two of my past life loves! I know that both of my children and my younger brother have been in many of my past lives!! AND…have been blessed with an ability to see past lives and help others to see theirs!
I’m Buddhist!! I have also met women in my life who have been there exactly when we needed each other and the bond was instant!! Incredible!! Coincidence….no I dont believe that at all!! Part of my path/part of their path! YES!! Absolutely!! And I love everyone of them for the gifts of learning ….about life…about them…and about myself…that their friendship has brought me!!
May 15, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Life is all about free will. Part of free will is being able to see and make choices. Ten years ago, you may not have been ready to see things with the same clarity that you do today. Heck there was something that you and I saw while reading each other’s blogs that have allowed us to keep in touch for the past 6+ months. There is an element of kismet, but you’ve always possessed the free will, but you didn’t always appreciate the depth of your choices. Love the topic, hope you appreciate my belief.
May 16, 2008 at 9:47 am
I don’t like the idea that my life has been predetermined but I also believe things happen for a reason. My answer probably does not help you at all! LOL…sorry
May 17, 2008 at 2:58 am
Great topics. I agree all around. I say the faces may change, the personalities stay the same (good and bad). What I would like to comment on is that you’ve done something that I still have to do (and I’m a bit terrified about). Go back to school. I’ve spent the past 25 plus years working, raising a family etc….is it my time yet? HUGE Congrats! I hope when I grow up I can be just like you
May 17, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Fact: Life is destiny! Predestined? Absolutely. There is a high degree of probability that the "coincidences" in our lives are part of a greater overall plan (One that we may only know of when we die). To look at some of the variables invovled in just the story you told would involve many numbers times many exponentials. You do the math: Its destiny, period!
May 18, 2008 at 11:44 am
I believe that our lives are predestined… that we all have individual plans set before us…and though that is sometimes a hard one to swallow…. I do have great comfort knowing that my life is no coincidence and I have great purpose as the human i was created to be…
Congrats, on your graduation, girl!!!! way to go!!!
all my best,
jul
May 18, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Both! There is certainly an amount of predestination by God involved in our lives, but I don’t believe that He ever takes away our free will, even though He knows which choices we will make. He brings people into your life for a reason and its your choice on how to respond.