I used to believe in destiny. I mean why not? It’s a cozy little comfortable shelf to sit on—because when bad things happen, well, destiny’s there to take the blame. Right? Right.
BUT … then someone taught me about freewill … and I remembered reading Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken and I instantly understood that while we might all have some sort of providence within our grasp, it is the realization of the paths we must take to get there, that often times provides us the biggest challenge.
“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.” ~ Buddha
I have a tattoo. I got it seven years ago. Randomly, at that. Truthfully, it’s something I’d been thinking about off and on for a while, just never had the gumption or the spark in me that screamed “hey, girl, this is what you should get.” When I was in college, one night a bunch of girls (women?) from my sorority got small tattoos on their ankles. You know, sort of like a badge of sisterhood. I was with them but (fortunately) had had too much to drink (shocker) and wasn’t exactly “with it” when the dude with the nose ring and dreadlocks could needle me.
Years later, I’m still “friends” with most of those women and some still have their tattoos, but others have tried to have them removed. And that right there … that’s the reason why I’d always hesitated. Because it’s with you for life. But, I suppose just about everything seems like a good idea at some point. Right? And because one moment’s decision can either be something you regret forever, or something you revel in. Eh. Either way, it sticks with you … it becomes part of your destiny.
“Amor Fati.” ~ Latin for Love your Fate
So, be it fate, be it our God given calling, or be it an instinctual yet unnamed craving to go one way versus the other, we still have to make decisions throughout our lives that can cause us pain. Bring us joy. Maybe even both. But if I’ve learned one thing in this short life I’ve lived it’s this: sometimes the fall is worth the risk and the only way to find out is to make the jump off destiny’s safe little ledge and stop basking in her protection—of course that’s the wonderful, and admittedly sometimes not so wonderful part, about being human. Lucky us.
Cover image is a screenshot of my tattoo and my dog. Today’s post inspired by The Daily Prompt: What tattoo do you want and where would you put it? Oh, and the other tattoos … don’t ask : )
DISCLAIMER: I’m a writer and an editor. And I try my best to make sure every post is articulate and free from errors. However, being that I edit my own work—and it’s next to impossible to properly edit your own work—I admit, occasionally there may be an error or two I miss. But doing so doesn’t make me an idiot so don’t be mean. Just smile, pat yourself on the back for finding an error and be glad you’re not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes … xoxox
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