Do you define your own life?
Life is a journey that we all embark upon, with different experiences, opportunities, and challenges that shape our existence. However, amidst the twists and turns of life, one question remains relevant - Do we define our own life? The answer to this question is not straightforward, and it requires introspection and an understanding of what defines us as individuals.
As I look back, having a rough childhood growing up, I had realized that early on the decision of choosing my life journey is up to me. I perceived my life as a blank slate, and I can draw my life as I want it to be. Tired of the daily uncertainties that when the morning breaks, will I get beaten up a lot today, or not too much, depending on how my father would wake up....depending on how I respond to his questions...depending on how my siblings associate with me....depending on how I tilt my head....
Childhood trauma may fuel a range of persistent psychological and emotional difficulties, causing many to resort to the easy escape. I am surrounded by those growing up and I choose to take the different path.
We can argue that external factors shape our lives, such as our upbringing, culture, education, and society. These external factors determine the opportunities we have, the people we meet, and the choices available to us. In this sense, we might feel that our lives are predetermined, and we are merely playing a role that has been set for us.
On the other hand, we can argue that we define our own lives. We have the power to choose how we respond to external factors, the decisions we make, and the paths we take. We have the ability to shape our own destiny and create the life that we want. We can choose to pursue our passions, surround ourselves with positive people, and create our own opportunities.
However, it's not as simple as choosing to define our own lives. We are often faced with challenges that test our resilience, and it's in these moments that we need to make a choice. Do we let external factors define us, or do we take control of our lives and define our own path? It's in these moments that we realize that defining our own lives is not a one-time decision but a continuous process.
Moreover, the path to defining our own lives is not without obstacles. It requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to take risks. We need to overcome self-doubt and fear of failure, take responsibility for our actions, and persevere through adversity.
The question of whether we define our own lives is complex and multifaceted. External factors may shape our lives, but we have the power to choose how we respond to them.
Defining our own lives requires a continuous process of self-discovery, resilience, and self-awareness. We can choose to be passive and let life happen to us, or we can take control of our lives and define our own path. The choice is ultimately ours.
Recent Comments
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I agree with your message, Maria. I’m sorry you went through that as a child. But somehow you were astute enough to know you would do better. Oftentimes, trauma makes us into strong, introspective people. Living is being a continuous work in progress. Every day is a new step. Have a great day, my friend!
Susan 🌹
As I have said earlier, usually my blogpost comes out from my difficult experience. It’s the hard lessons of life that made me what I am today. It has actually made me understand life’s complexities!
I appreciate you my friend for your perspective on this post.
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
Hi Maria,
This is a deep question that has no black/white answer.
I could reply that if one has a code of honor that it binds us to predetermination. Or that the actions of others can't be simply ignored as many spiritual new agers would have us believe.
Or that given the current state of our perpetual ignorance that in itself is a form of predetermination as many choices will always remain invisible.
I believe we have a limited amount of agency in our responses and that's as far as I can speak with any authority.
Great post, I love how your mind works when you write these type of examinations.
Regards,
Jason
I value your position in viewing this post carrying a question that is not forthright! As there is definitely not a black or white response to it.
Forgive me if the reflections I bring in this blog emanates from my painful past. I guess that’s the only strength I believe I can share with everyone. My hard lessons that made me what I am today.
Mentorship, I leave it to the more knowledgeable ones.
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
Hi Maria,
I believe pondering questions that appear to have no solid answer is crucial in expanding our own perception. It's only through such an expansion we can shed a layer of our ignorance and then see a dozen more areas, hah hah.
I really do love these type of posts from you.
Regards,
Jason
Thank you for the acknowledgement and encouragement!
Somehow this becomes a form of therapy of some sort! ~ both for the writer and the reader 😊
That's always the way of it.
The real student is the one who dons the teachers hat.
Writing is good for the soul. I often have considered this might be why so many females when younger have diaries. By extension, it makes me also wonder if the absence of such practices in males coupled with the bottle it up dynamics we are taught is why many men are oblivious to obvious social cues.
Just rambling so don't pay no mind, hah hah.
That is part of the book, “Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars”!!!
That is not “rambling “ that is the unconscious awareness of the silent truth about men’s oblivion in general!!! 😂🤣😅
Don’t mind me either, just re-stating the obvious! 🤨🤭
Hi, Maria
Sorry you had a difficult childhood, but I salute you for overcoming it and using the experience to make you a stronger person. Despite it all, you've created a great life for yourself and your family! 🙂
I like a healthy mix of choosing and organizing some things while being open to all the good unexpected twists and turns that life has to offer. It makes things more interesting. 😎
Rock On 🤘
Frank 🎸
My difficult childhood has helped me greatly in my career as a nurse! Thankfully, it didn’t break my spirit…only my bones ! 😢
I appreciate your perspectives Frankie 🎸😎!
Thank you for your time!
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
You speak very true words, Marioi! I agree, but I also tend to trust in God to lead me in the way that I should go. The only thing I do each morning is be thankful to wake up to enjoy this daily grind once again!
I also love the imagery that you used in this post too! Well done!
Jeffoi 😎👍
I appreciate your perspectives Jeffoi! Being thankful each new day for another chance to enjoy life is certainly a gift, as we are on borrowed time. Trusting God to lead us in every way is definitely very reassuring.
Thank you very much!
Cheers,
Maria🌹
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Sorry to hear about your tough childhood Maria...
But I believe it has made you the strong person you are today...
As for the question... tough one!!
Each day can have a different twist on how we define our lives in my opinion...
Will have to think about this one a bit more my friend!!
😊😊
I was toughened by adversity. And from that hard lesson in life, I was effective in helping others. And you are right, it made me the strong person that I am today.
There is no straightforward answer to the question Nickster. It’s however the tail spins!
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
I can't disagree with you there Maria...
And there isn't indeed! Let the tail continue to spin!
Have a wonderful start to the weekend my friend!
Cheers!
🥂
Hahahaha 😂🤣😅
Indeed Nickster! Let the tail spin as much as it wants!
Leaving for Greece tomorrow my friend!
Am already having a blast!
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
Ooohh! I totally forgot that you were heading there tomorrow Maria!!
It's been a while since I was last in Greece...
probably 20 years now!!
Where are you staying/visiting??
At least we will be on the same continent my friend!!
Cheers!!
👍🥂🤣
It will be a cruise, so we are in the ship for the most part! And get off in some islands.
We are near yet so far from each other Nickster!
We are leaving tomorrow for 14 days. Then back to the same usual routine!
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
You will probably have to fly over me to get there Maria!!
A cruise sounds great! What is it.... fly into Athens, cruise down the coast and then back up again??
Have a fantastic time my friend and catch up again soon ok!!
Cheers!!
🥂
Honestly, I don’t know our exact itinerary! Tom and his sister has those stuff. I worry about other stuff! Division of responsibilities! Haha!
Maybe flying into Athens. All I know is that we’re flying by Emirates Airlines.
Alright Nickster! I’m multitasking here! My iPad in on while doing other stuff!
Cheers,
Maria 🌹
🤣🤣
Well, the less you know the better Maria!!
Enjoy yourself ok my friend!
Cheers!!
👍🥂