Imagine you’re sitting on a park bench. You are minding your own business. Maybe you’re waiting for a bus … or maybe you’re just idly sitting … daydreaming.
Off in the distance, unbeknownst to you, a feather is floating through the air. The feather is very light. Its flight is influenced by greater forces. It is pushed and propelled along its journey by the breezes and winds.
You are completely unaware of the feather’s existence until the last possible moment. That moment occurs when the feather suddenly appears floating in front of you. Gravity gently pulls the feather down. It lands at your feet.
You had absolutely no control over the flight of the feather.
You had absolutely no control over the sudden appearance of the feather.
You had absolutely no control that the feather landed at your foot.
From your perspective on the bench, the feather landing at your foot is 100% random.
You could call it luck.
You could say,“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.”
Choosing to reach down and pick up the feather is 100% your choice.
Choosing to leave the feather on the ground is also 100% your choice.
The things you can’t control – randomness – are 100% out of your control.
The things you can control – your choices – are 100% within your control.
Next Blog Title: Deciding
Next Blog Date: December 20, 2012