“We create our fate every day we live”

Henry Miller

The topic of the debate was “fate.” Let me elaborate on the full topic of debate: Was the role of fate an established force by an outside object, whether it is an external force, a religious belief, any form of outside conscious, or simply a belief in your destiny being an overseen force of supernatural powers. He argued that my ‘destiny’ is nothing more than a predetermined fact of life. Of course, before I continue further into this topic I would like to explain how this debate came into being.

If my memory serves me correctly, my fellow debater questioned me on my actions involving food. I personally try to eat with a health-conscious mind; I practice taking in sources of food that are healthy and natural. Of course, this is not always possible, but I still attempt to contribute to my body the highest quality of nutrients. Sometimes this can cause an annoying effect on those with whom I share different views. When people question me on why I limit myself to some food sources, I have many different replies, but one I often use is, “…studies have shown that those who eat this food have a higher chance of getting (what ever sickness, most commonly cancer).” I believe this was the reply I used to this person, and his reply is what started this debate about which I am writing .

I am uncertain of his exact reply, but do remember the vastness of Mike’s argument. He argued that fate is in control of how I fair I in life, or other events for that matter, and in this case the effect of food. No matter how hard I tried, if it were my fate, I would, in fact, contract cancer. One other note to make before continuing: he was not a highly religious person, but was trained in a Christian discipline and belief.

Back to the subject at hand, he gave me a short lecture on how my predetermined destiny controlled all things that happen in my life. I acknowledge this and accepted his opinion, but one key part which he added later stuck me as a sharp edge. Towards the end of his speech he indirectly stated that there is nothing which you can physically nor mentally do to create or alter your own destiny. What this means, or at least how I perceived it, is that all of my actions would bestow upon me with the same outcome with no input from my own actions. Also stated as: If I where to sit on the couch all day, my life’s fate, how I die, would be the same if I had been an active part of society. This is the part where my strong disagreement came into presence, but for now let’s discuss what fate is and how it effects our perception of life.

As are many concepts in the philosophical world, fate is often dominated by our views on religion. Depending on your beliefs, you could view fate as existential; a force of will that is in full control; or like many, that fate is simply the fact of the situation. The first two were of radically different views, but the latter was more of a medium. A medium where the subject is still in belief of fate, but feels it only controls their initial outcome. Whatever you believe is your choice, and I hope, nonetheless, that this article does not change your beliefs about your religious view on fate. I do hope I can help people recognize the difference between giving up your fight for survival in hope that fate will save you.

Some people, such as the Mike, believe that their life is a derivative of fate. All matters of life come as direct disciples of their preset destiny. Most often I see this as a product of a religion or some other form of spirituality. When people have this mindset, it tends to show in troubled times or even positive situations. Situations that I see commonly are the loss of a job or other work related troubles, the death of a loved one and even the actions of those who contribute to their time line of life. I have been forcefully committed to knowing these people by simply the mater of life.

I grew up in the “bible belt” area of the southeastern United States and have seen countless people act in this way. I have met grown men who believe that their life was meant to be that way it is, and that there is no other way it could have been. Many of times I have tried to discuss with these people about why they believe this, but all to often I find their reply is as two-dimensional as their belief. When in conversations with people whose mindset is similar or replicated of this concept I attempt to keep the conversation away from these topics. I am truly saddened by the non-existence of physical truth and lack of critically thought out beliefs held by this category of people. I will have to admit that some of these fate-devoted people are capable of creating a productive and positive life.

In fact my own aunt is one these members of society, but after further evaluation you find she has been raised to believe that her fate must come with hard work. If you find yourself as one of the select few who do devote themselves to a fate that engulfs their life, hopefully by reading this you may realize that even if you believe in a fate that dominates your life, you can have control of your earthbound actions. I must tell you, though, that I have no intention of persuading you to dismantle your belief. Yes, you may believe that an outside being is overlooking your life. In fact, I think it is fine to believe that an outside force is in control of everything you do. This is, however, different from believing that all of your actions are incapable of replacing your current fate with that of a higher, more productive one.

Still, there is something to be said for the middle category which was previously mentioned. If you are inclined to have a religious belief that incorporates fate, please continue doing so. If you understand your religion and why you believe it, I encourage you to fully participate in its beliefs. So how might you view fate? In my opinion the average, if not all people, should view fate as a possible manipulation of your future presence in the multiverse - the hypothetical set of multiple possible universes (including our universe) that together comprise all of reality.

You are inclined to follow a path which you choose that directly incorporates your faith and opinions on life but you have awareness of the situation and your ability to control the presence. Fate, or the choice of two or more paths could be said to be directly related to the theory of a multidimensional universe in which our dimensions extend as far as ten or more. One of these dimensions would be the choice in which we participate in the interchangeable events. With the acceptance of one event we are diverting from our current time line onto a new one which was pre-installed. Consequently, by doing so we erased all pre-existing time lines which were directly incorporated with these events. This has been described as a split in your own personal space-time.

Or one way to say this is: if you do believe in your fate or destiny being a predetermined time line, then you could view your choice in life as picking your intended path. All of your possible outcomes are in control by your personal idol, but you control the act which splits from the space-time you take. Also, in doing so you eliminate all the infinite possibilities of every passing second. At any given moment there are infinite possibilities of action or thoughts you could create that would influence you in some way, shape, or form. If you choose to believe so, then all of these infinite possibilities are overseen by your idol, but the particular split in space-time you decided to take is under control of your own earthbound conscious. I use this as an example only to those whom find themselves in a tear between their beliefs and the roles of religion bound to fate. I do not consider myself any form of minister nor preacher, but in the world of philosophy of the mind things such as mental and physical knowledge are not always of an essence. Whatever you choose to believe is a direct relation to how you interact with your time line of life, and you must be aware of these interactions. With that, I concede the discussion on this state of mind and move on.

For those who totally disregard faith as a whole, it is much easier to comply with your situation. I find myself falling into this category, and subsequently find it quite easy to describe my own views on fate. For one, people in this category don’t believe in fate. For me, I think the concept of a force of nature that has all access to my future and past is slightly irregular; but this is irrelevant. Sometime people are located in this category because of a disbelief in religion, or maybe just a disbelief in the concept of someone in control of their every passing moment. Either way their view on this subject is the same. Those who seek advice in what to do with fate, but have no belief in fate, must say there is nothing I can say. You choose not to believe in fate so you need not be boggled by its perceptive burden. The only form of analysis I can think to offer is to be open minded on others’ opinions on this category. As with all facts of life, we all share different opinions, and this is the way it always will be. For good reason: If those you interact with are highly motivated by their view on fate, then allow this to be. Question them if you desire, but do not attempt to persuade them to dismantle their beliefs.

As I find myself at the end of this post, I think I can draw a conclusions with the realization of the fact that fate is a powerful view in the conscious mind. For some, such as Mike, I previously debated with, it is the way in which they dominate their life. These people are moved by its supposed force upon your destiny, while others find themselves with no belief in fate at all. While the vast majority of people have a grasp on the concept, but do not believe in its dominating powers.

All three of these acts take courage and time to find your own view on fate. Sometimes your beliefs have never changed since your childhood, and it is indeed hard to change. To adjust the way you try to perform your life is a task which will take months of realization and patience. Sometimes you may want to just say, “It was meant to be,” and while doing so you must acknowledge the act of judgment. Remind yourself of the theory of the multiverse time line and the infinite possibilities that you could undertake at any given time.