Exploring the Interplay between Fate and Personal Agency
Are We Masters of Our Own Fate or Merely Pawns in the Game of Life?
Despite the challenges we faced in January, we managed to overcome them with the help of friends like you. I want to express my gratitude for the support that lifted me above the difficulties, allowing me to look back and appreciate the numerous successes.
These accomplishments include an increase in our readership (both new and paid subscribers), the success of self-publishing Sorrowful Wharf, and ongoing enhancements in both publications. These advancements greatly contribute to the quality of my writing and bring great value to our work.
Thank you!
This post is inspired by my recent revisit to The Matrix (1999), my all-time favorite movie. The following dialogue, which sparked this post, got me thinking about its significance.
Morpheus: Do you have faith in destiny, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I am uncomfortable with the notion that I lack control over my own life.
Do you truly understand what it signifies to you?
Alright, now let's transition to a different context for a moment, and then we'll address that question shortly. See, many of us tend to evaluate our lives based on societal norms. We often believe that having wealth or popularity reflects God's favor upon us. However, it is incorrect to assume that material prosperity and societal acceptance are the results of our spiritual journey. In a similar manner to the branch in this story, we strive for whatever leads to worldly success and recognition in the eyes of others.
On a short note, There is nothing wrong with having wealth. Money is not the enemy. Worldly success itself is not the adversary. Whether you are wealthy or not, the real danger is what is often translated in this verse as “the love of money”. In other words, wealth is a problem if it becomes your master. If it serves The Gospel, wealth can be a positive resource. It is the posture of our hearts not the possession of our materials that is at fault when things go awry.
Sitting in seats of power, pride, and comfort, we either think we do not need God or that we are in such good standing with Him (how else would we have gotten all this stuff?) that we can put it on cruise control and assume our “success” will continue.
The other day, someone asked me, "Do you consider yourself a writer or more of a content consumer?" This question made me reflect on how I assimilate and comprehend everything I read. It seemed like this person wanted to engage in an intellectual conversation with me. Over time, I've devoted myself to studying esteemed writers on Substack such as
and among countless others.Today, I have come to understand that my role on Substack extends beyond that of a mere writer or content creator. As writers, we are constantly engaged in brainstorming ideas, conducting research, and carefully crafting our words to captivate our audience.
However, amid the relentless pursuit of staying relevant, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of our own identities and passions. It is easy to become engulfed in the race for views, likes, and shares, but ultimately, our true worth lies in the unique perspectives and insights we bring to the table. This led me to question: What meaning does success hold without my contribution?
I pondered over these preceding lines for years, until finally, I gained a comprehensive understanding. It dawned on me that the fundamental element in everything we do is paying attention to our intentions, whether we choose to believe it or not. By focusing on our intentions, even the smallest details pertaining to our physical environment and actions will fall into place harmoniously.
This realization led me to the conclusion that we should never perform any action with the sole purpose of impressing others. A wise saying captures this sentiment perfectly: "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." In essence, it means that when we engage in acts of kindness, we should do so purely for the sake of doing good, without seeking recognition or praise from others.
Genuine actions must stem from the depths of our hearts, carried out with utmost sincerity. If we perform a noble deed and boast about it, we lose its essence; anyone else could have performed the same act, and we gain no true benefit from it. Similarly, if we attempt to hoard or keep something for ourselves, we ultimately forfeit its value.
True freedom is found when we shift our focus away from obsessing over our own image and how others see us. By prioritizing the needs of others and truly listening to them, we open ourselves up to becoming something greater. It's common to mistakenly believe that forgetting ourselves equates to sacrificing enjoyable experiences. However, we fail to realize that this selflessness actually leads us into a realm of happiness that we have been longing for all along.
When it comes to religion and spiritual beliefs, the question of our existence often revolves around a higher power or a divine purpose. Various religions maintain that humans are here to fulfill a predetermined plan or to serve a superior being. For instance, Christianity teaches that our purpose is to worship and have a relationship with God, while Buddhism views existence as an opportunity to achieve spiritual enlightenment and escape from suffering.
In The Matrix, Morpheus holds the belief that he will discover "The One," and thus actively searches for and ultimately finds him. This belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for Morpheus. Once he locates Neo, he becomes unwavering in his certainty that Neo is indeed "The One." Regardless of Neo's own words, Morpheus remains steadfast in his conviction. He is unable to choose or alter his perception that Neo is the chosen one.
Morpheus is indifferent to the fact that Neo is still in the process of realizing that he is The One, so Neo's denial of his identity doesn't affect Morpheus. Ironically, Neo had to deny being The One as part of his journey to eventually become The One.
Meanwhile, certain philosophies emphasize personal accomplishments and the search for individual meaning in life. Existentialism, for example, asserts that individuals determine their own purpose and significance through their actions and choices. According to this viewpoint, our existence comes before our essence, implying that we exist first and then shape our purpose through our experiences and decisions.
Interpersonal connections and relationships also play a significant role in finding purpose and meaning in life. Many people believe that our relationships with others, be it romantic, familial, or friendships, provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Through these connections, we can experience love, belonging, and personal growth, shaping our understanding of why we exist.
Lastly, making a positive impact on the world can give individuals a sense of purpose. Some people find meaning in making contributions to society, helping others, or advocating for important causes. By striving to improve the well-being of others or making a difference, individuals may find a deeper reason for their existence beyond their personal goals and desires.
Ultimately, the question of why we exist is subjective and personal, and different individuals may find meaning and purpose in various ways. It is a complex and multifaceted question with no definitive answer, allowing for diverse perspectives and interpretations.
Determining one's purpose in life is a deeply introspective and personal endeavor. It involves reflecting on your talents, passions, values, and goals to uncover what brings you fulfillment and a sense of meaning. It may take time, exploration, and self-discovery to find your purpose, and it can evolve or change throughout your life.
Do you believe or reject the notion that you are the sole individual responsible for saving all of humanity, similar to Neo? Alternatively, do you believe that you will discover someone like 'The One' or something that will bring about the fulfillment of your prophecy?
In Final Words
My value as a writer doesn’t transcend mere numbers and metrics. It is understood that even if my content does not go viral or reach millions, it still possesses the power to touch the lives of those who resonate with it. It is comprehending that my voice holds significance, regardless of my audience size.
In this constantly changing digital world, it is essential to strike a balance between creating content that appeals to a wide audience and remaining true to ourselves. The key is to find our own unique place on the internet, where our genuine voice can truly shine.
Ultimately, the success of our writing does not rely on fame and fortune alone, but on the satisfaction and connections, we make by sharing our thoughts, ideas, and stories with the world. Our focus should be on producing meaningful content that ignites conversations, challenges perspectives, and leaves a lasting impact.
Therefore, let us continue our journey of writing, adapting, and evolving, always remembering that our real worth as modern-day artists lies not in numbers, but in the authenticity of our craft.
If my story resonates with you, it would mean the world to me if you upgrade your subscription, share my story, or refer a friend. My journey has not been easy, and I appreciate every little help I can get.
Such an interesting piece, thank you. I’m fairly new to this writing game, and while I haven’t experienced fame (thank goodness) or fortune (my writing is free, so not much chance of that!) I have experienced connection, and that has come with a healthy dose of satisfaction. It seems that, for me, writing is a way of sharing something which feels very important to me, and when it feels as though there are hands receiving it, and even resonating with it, there’s an inherent satisfaction at having made even a brief connection. A quick smile, returned by a stranger, across the planet. Magic.
What we believe and how we act according to those beliefs will, in large measure, determine who we are and who we will become. How we respond internally to what is happening externally sets the stage for our health (physical, mental, spiritual) and our relationships with others. Extrovert or introvert doesn't matter to our humanity. What matters is how we treat each other and the planet which is why, in the beginning and at the end, love is what matters most. In between beginning and end, what we make of a life well-lived is up to us to choose what we do with this moment, and the next. Begin and end each day with gratitude for being here and you have the bookends for how you live. Choose wisely, my friends.