Anatomization of Destiny

The tendency of many is to analyze actions and events to find what trigger made them occur. Was it a choice? Was it the result of peer influence? Was it directed by genetic disposition?

Others proclaim that these actions or events were brought about by a divine spirit, put in play from the start or active shaped and influenced.

This arrangement of opinions creates an argument between destiny and free will. The truth, although paradoxical and strangely beautiful, is that both control these events and actions.

I think of the string of beads I made for meditation that hang from the rear view mirror in my car. Each bead, repeated in a set of seven, represents a member of my immediate family. Often, when I am sitting in traffic, I will meditate, rubbing each bead with that person and their significant others in mind. I might thank them. I might ask that I may model their strengths. Most often, I pray for their forgiveness.

Let us say that one of them shows forgiveness. Was it my prayer that moved the God to whom I pray to plant the seed of forgiveness in that person's mind? Or did the person make the choice to forgive because that was what they were thinking about in their world? Did she just forgive because that was she taught or told to do? Or does she just naturally forgive as am extension of her personality? Or did my repreated meditation on asking forgiveness place me in a humble disposition forgiving others and seeeking forgives that sent an invitation to be forgiven?

The answer is yes to all of the above reasons. They all happened. They are not incompatible or in opposition. They just different sides of a shape. They are different views of the sunset. They are all true and beautiful.

The real truth and beauty, however, is that act of forgiveness. It need only be admired for what it is and not judged for how it came to be.