They say that each decision we make has the potential to change our lives. But wouldn’t it be more to the point to say that, in fact, each decision we make does change our entire life?
If we look at life in a linear fashion, we can only make so much room for what may or may not be possible. But if we consider the infinite number of outcomes of each and every decision we ever make, where does this leave us?
These are the questions on my mind today as I wonder about the coming year. What its possibilities are, what lurks around the corner, and what my life will look like after Christmas in 2022. And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this at all.
You’re probably sitting there wondering why this guy is talking in circles, why you’re even reading this letter. Well, the answer to the latter is that it was your conscious choice to do so.
But does that mean that you have exercised your free will?
I’d argue that this is proof that you actually have no free will at all. Only perhaps the illusion of it.
Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills.”
― Arthur Schopenhauer, Essays and Aphorisms
Whether or not you believe in a deterministic worldview matters little. The fact is that choice is affected by forces that we cannot understand. Each choice is propelled by desire, want, selflessness, empathy, or some other form of subconscious thought that pushes us toward a particular decision, something that we have no control over at all.
So, which life will you live today?
Is it the one where you’re completely conscious of every choice you make, in a world where you know exactly where your thoughts emanate from, and where you know exactly the outcome of those choices?
I’m afraid that world simply doesn’t exist.
We all have the chance to live a different life each moment of each day. And this is all hinged upon the choices that we make. But we must remember, that no matter how sound our decisions may be… we can’t ever predict the outcome.
We may have good intentions, or not. But with this, all we actually have is choice. Willing ourselves to that choice is another philosophical matter entirely.
This day, I choose the life where I’m not so worried about the outcome. Because, in fact, I have no control over it anyway.
And neither do you.
Besides, the best things in life are unscripted.
Happy New Year to all, and may today’s life be the best possible… in all choices you happen to make.
Travel Well