Do we have a path set out for us or can we make a load of random choices along the way?

[mountainboo]

This question was posed on an advert for teaching and when I heard it, the question stayed in the fore front of my mind as I was unable to answer it. So during our life time do we have a path that we take or can we make random choice's along the way? Your comments would be much appreciated.

[jno]

untold zillions of choices. The choices may be loaded ones - going to Eton was not among the ones available to me, for instance - but since I left home I've been pretty much free to make my own way in the world, to take jobs or not, to read newspapers or not, to reply to AB questions or not. Nobody and nothing is making me write this except my own free will.

[mccfluff]

my bet would be on random choices, otherwise how would your 'path' be determined? ahhhh to much for this time of the morning i'm going back to the paper lol

[oldwoman]

I have often wondered but in a slightly different context. If my parents had been more weathy,If I had been born down South other than in the North East would I have had better opportunities in life.

[China Doll]

I think that you could say because of personality and the nature/nurture things that there are some paths that an individual is bound to end up walking just because it's in their make up to do it.

However, I also believe that you can choose not to walk a path, you can choose to fight or run or to go to the left or just stray off the path in general. You can make a choice one day and change your mind the next. That's the bit of life that's good. You can also choose to get off the path and nip on to another one. Random choices make life more exciting... you just never know where you'll end up!

[mountainboo]

I realise that, but do you ever wonder if everything you ever do in your lifetime is what you were mean't to do? Ok, this is probably way to deep to get into at this time or day. I just found it curious that's all.

[mountainboo]

sorry, above was in reply to jno

[mountainboo]

Thank you. That's quite a thought provoking comment China Doll, I'm swaying toward random choices now. I have made numerous, terrible choices in the past, choices that I know if I didn't make probably would've mean't I'd of taken a better path (if you catch my drift). I seem to be making better choices these days.

[China Doll]

Yeah, I get your drift. But was it bad choices in the past or would this be a case of a path that it's very likely you'll take? E.g. a woman being with a bloke who batters her because that's what her mum put up with? (Obviously that doesn't happen to everyone that has experience of an abusive relationship but am just usinig it as an example). I don't think something like that is a bad choice, I think that's a path that is likely to happen because history can have a nast habit of repeating itself.

Ultimately, I would say that people make choices to out of situations. Or because they're bored. I'm terrible for creating my own amusement if I'm bored.

Obviously, we all make choices on a daily basis as Jno says but I suspect you're referring to the deeper choices we make which effect how we live our life.

[mountainboo]

Yeah, I guess so. I agree with your theory, however in the case of history repeating itself, I took a totally different path to my parents. For example, I did terribly at school, they wen't on to university etc. I also made some terrible decisions in my late teens and early 20's, they were the opposite in there early years. Perhaps they took a set path and I have been making all the random choices?

[China Doll]

Perhaps you did what I did and decided not to be anything like your parents. That's what I did and in doing so managed to make a whole different set of mistakes and good times, that's just life and it's fun! I bet your parents have made a few random choices in their time too, everyone does.

Personally I bl00dy hate paths and much prefer the scenic route!

[mountainboo]

Well said china doll

[China Doll]

Well it takes me longer to get there but it's always more fun and more memorable!

[The Sherman]

yeah you control your own destiny, you have to who else could possibly choose your route? if you beleive that you do follow a path then you cant really follow a religion as why would got lead you down a path that would lead you to hell? .....
actually that would be pretty cool, you know your god infinite power yarda yarda yarda you could get bored... and just i dont know move one of the play things across on a bad path!!!! sorry im rambling now

[Backdrifter]

No there's no predetermined path - you largely steer your own route but it can be unavoidably affected by circumstances that knock you on to a different route. There are those who argue/believe all this is predestined somehow but I don't buy that.

[China Doll]

Think that's what I was trying to say Back Drifter but not quite so well. I agree.