To Believe or not to Believe?

At the beginning, I only believed in freewill. I believed that Freewill is all about really taking responsibility and, well..living freely. Knowing that you are in charge of your own actions. But what if that is not always the case? What if there is actually another spirit or presence actually determining some of your personal actions? That's what I believe now.Or at least starting to consider. I now believe that maybe freewill and fate go hand-in-hand. Some things are not explainable. Somethings happen where only fate is the possible answer to. I do know however that one does still have some control over their life. I doubt that fate is that strong! -lol- Another way to look at it is maybe life is like a little pattern. Freewill, fate, freewill, fate, etc. Who knows? Maybe life is completely fate. Who is there to determine what is freewill and what isn't?
Oedipus and Mr. Harold have definitely changed the way I view this world we live in. Oedipus went through a lot! All, which I must say, seemed like pure bad luck or just horrible fate. Harold, on the other hand, was about to die, but his fate was changed. So now the questions is, is fate somewhat "choosy"? I wonder, the time I burned my hand, was that fate? Or how about the thousands of people who loose their homes to fires and other destruction's. Is that fate, too? or are these actually examples of lacking responsibility? Once again, who determines fate? Could it possibly be both a mixture of fate and freewill? Are we really living our life freely.
After glancing back over my life, maybe there is a touch of fate. Maybe what we do freely creates the perfect fate. Maybe this whole fate thing is still a bunch of talk. I can remember numerous occasions where I tried to change the outcome of a situation, and I got the same effect!

Ha!! Fate Shmate!!!

Fate is always nice to think about, wonder about, and even dream about. But at the end, it all boils down to free will. A lot of times, fate is placed under the pseudoscience section. Unlike free will. Free will is free and independent choice or a voluntary decision. We as humans control what we do. Yes, things do randomly happen, some which one has no control over. But for the most part, certain things can be avoided or the situation can possibly have a better turn-out. We cannot always depend on miracles to happen, good luck to roll around, or 'fate' to come in and save us when something like this goes wrong.
One of my favorite quotes that mainly follows up on this idea is "I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." by Stephen Leacock. Basically it says, if one works hard, one will succeed more often, than 'pure luck' happening. Only I can control if I want good luck ALL the time. Not only that, I want to be able to know that I control my own actions. Not some unknown force that I know nothing about. I also believe that 'fate' is for those who are afraid or do not want to accept reality and responsibility for whatever the reason. I guess it's easier to blame it on the unknown, than to believe that, we as humans, pretty much determine our own outcome. Personally, I would feel atrocious knowing that my actions, both good and bad, were not controlled by me. Considering the fact that one's actions always affects someone or something around them. At the end of the day, free will is all about personal choices(no puppet strings attached. Now whether one makes the best choice is totally up to oneself!

Hello, my name is JOE.

In the new generation, which would one choose: CRAZY fame, with an early death, or the life of an average joe, but you live for a very long time? I for one would choose an average Joe. So many good things come with old age. Wisdom, change, love and knowing who you really are in the world. Life is not meant to be short, if one can help it of course. Life is meant to be experienced. To grow old and be able to tell your story of the world. Living a long life shows that you made it through everything. The sadness and laughter, the ups and downs, the good times and the bad. Not only that, you will live life being around people that you love, and they also love you in return. You can't enjoy money or fame when your dead. Since it seems that an average joe can be rich in so many other ways, living a long life is worth more than all the money in the world.

"A little magic goes a long way."

Harry Wormwood: Any packages come today?
Matilda: Mm-mm.
Harry Wormwood: [noticing her books] Where'd all this come from?
Matilda: The library.
Harry Wormwood: The library? You've never set foot in a library. You're only four years old.
Matilda: Six-and-a-half.
Harry Wormwood: You're four!
Matilda: Six-and-a-half!
Harry Wormwood: If you were six-and-a-half, you'd be in school already.
Matilda: I want to be in school. I told you I was supposed to start school in September. You wouldn't listen.
Harry Wormwood: Dearest pie, how old is Matilda?
Zinnia Wormwood: Four.
Matilda: I'm six-and-a-half, mommy!
Zinnia Wormwood: Five, then!
Matilda: I was six in August.
Harry Wormwood: You're a liar. School? It's out of the question. Who would be here to sign for the packages? We can't leave valuable packages sitting out on the doorstep. Now go watch TV like a good kid. [Matilda leaves]
Zinnia Wormwood: You know, sometimes I think there's something wrong with that girl.
Harry Wormwood: Hmph, tell me about it.
In 1996, a movie aired that had everything I loved. Magic, girl genius, drama, tricks, humor, and touching moments. This movie was Matilda. This movie had everything and still followed a real life story line. I could watch this movie any time growing up. Even til this day, I can recite the words, and sing all the songs. I think the main reason I liked this movie because it was like me in so many ways. She was a young girl who loved to read. She escaped her world through books. She switched schools, and had to meet new friends all over again. She was smart and witty. The only difference between me and her was she had discovered her magic powers. I was,and still am,looking for mine.

Western vs. Eastern Mentality

From the quote on p. 77 Siddhartha, we as Westerners, spend to much time apologizing for our actions when we always seem to learn from them. For example, in the western culture, once you make a mistake in life it could change your life forever. Your life is no longer seen as being "perfect" to you. However, in eastern culture, your life is different and unique therefore, it IS perfect. Mistakes are supposed to happen. Also, we again as westerners,spend to much time worrying about death,trying to avoid death, and sometimes even fear death, when every single life bears it, or so we believe. But as for eastern cultures, death is not feared so much if at all. To them life is a continuous cycle. One will be born again.

Measure in Smiles!!

High School is a completely different atmosphere compared to elementary and middle school. Amongst the girly gossip, ruined friendships, and endless assignments, how does one find peace and tranquility? The answer is through a smile. "A smile can warm three cold months." -Chinese Proverb
In today's high schools, teens do not smile enough. While walking through the halls of my high school, I greeted (with a smile) a total of 25 people. All 25 people did respond, however, only 11 people responded with a SMILE! Talk about un-happy people! Maybe it could have been a bad day, or maybe my smile just isn't bright enough. Whatever the case may be, just remember, it takes 13 muscles to smile :) , and 47 muscles to frown :(

King of Pop! - A tru icon

Born August 29,1958 in Gary, Indiana, Michael Jackson is truly a world known icon. He first represents the idea of anything being possible if you work hard. With his father working at a steel mill, Michael's life was far from glamorous. But with his talent, and the help of his siblings, he became one of the most successful artist of our time. He Influenced a wide range of generation artists such as Justin Timberlake, Boys groups like B2K, and B5, Madonna, Chris Brown, Prince, and even his own sister Janet! . He also changed the music industry and paved the road for pop artists for many years to come. Michael donated a little over a million dollars throughout the years to several organizations including the United Negro College Fund, Make a Wish Foundation,and the Katrina Victims. Even as the years goes on, one could say Michael Jackson is still very similar to the Japanese Proverb "A garden is never finished". He still continues to work hard and has plans on recording a new album. He has proven that success is not really a destination, but more like a journey.