Let's Talk About Fate

The definition of fate is quite literally, "the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power." In Greek mythology, the fates are portrayed as three women who assign destinies to mortals at birth. The idea of fate is a fairly common topic of discussion, at least it has been in my life.

I have met people from both ends of the spectrum-- those who completely and totally believe in fate, and those who think it's all a crock. I personally have a strong belief in fate. I do believe that there are pieces of our lives that destined to happen. I believe that there are events and people in our lives that are always meant to be there. That being said, I don't believe that fate controls every aspect of our lives.

I believe that we do have control over our own destinies. Yes, there may be certain fixed points in the timeline of our lives. However, the rest of that timeline is up to us. In those times surrounding those destined events, it is our choice how we live our lives, how we treat others, and how we pursue our dreams. Fate guides us through to those big moments, but the rest of the time, we are on our own. We are creating our own fate, if you will.

There have been too many times in my life when an opportunity, or more importantly, a person has come around at exactly the right time for me not to believe in fate. Not every person that comes into our lives is meant to stay forever, even if they are guided there by fate. It could be that they were simply meant to be there to help us through that one moment in the timeline of our lives.

Then there are the other times, when fate leads you to a person and you just know they are not only meant to be there, but they are meant to be there permanently. I'm pretty sure all of us have had that feeling at least once in our lives. That instant feeling of, "Where have you been all my life?" Or that feeling in your soul that the person you are talking to has somehow always been there, even if you didn't know them yet. You know that feeling I mean?

Often times this idea of being fated to meet someone is directly correlated with romance. And don't get me wrong, it is completely a very real part of romantic love. However, I'm not just talking about that person you are fated to partner with through life's journey. Fate can lead you to so many people that you aren't romantically involved with. It can lead you to a best friend, a mentor, a guide through a chapter of your life.

Look back on your life to this point, whether you believe in fate or not, I will almost guarantee you will see those moments and those people that I'm talking about. It's there whether you believe it is fate, or destiny, or simply coincidence. Coincidence is hard one for me. There are just to many points in my life that exactly what I needed at the time came to me, for me to believe in blind coincidence.

I believe I am in control of my life. I make my own decisions. I choose which dreams to follow. But, I also know deep down in my soul that there are moments that have been destined to be, even if those moments don't last forever. Those moments were still always destined to be a part of who I am. Fate has given me what I needed, even when I didn't know it was what I needed.

I have a lot of big changes going on in my life at the moment, those for another post, though. And while I know that the choices are my own, and I control what happens next. I also have already seen fates hand in the middle of those changes, and I can't wait to see where it leads me next!

What about you? Do you believe in fate? Or is everything just coincidence?