“Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resist.”
Plutarch
With respect to this philosophy, I question it.
This is the mentality of “Everything happens for a reason”. I’ve actually said this. This thinking takes the blame away, makes us feel like we didn’t screw up. “Things” would have happened anyway, so relax, and just let “things” happen to you for “reasons”.
I don’t believe it. Do you?
I believe we make things happen, or not. We all make choices everyday, some are big scary life changing decisions. Many people ignore those big choices out of fear, and go through life trying to avoid big scary changes.
Given the opportunity, I’d do many things differently. I’d ignore the fear that made many of my choices for me.
In today’s prompt “you’ve been given the power to predict the future… for a sticker price of 1 day off the end of your life each time you use the power.”
This sounds like a union contract, or a deal with the devil. (same thing)
The real question here:
Is knowledge worth losing a day?
If you, like Plutarch, believe in fate, then this is absolutely not a good deal. The outcome would be the same.
If you believe that your choices effect the outcome of your life, the answer to the question depends on knowledge of this:
What will my end be? (This part of the end, I give to fate… or genetics.)
•Will I be diaper clad, suffering from some type of dementia, alone in a nursing home? The choice of losing one of these days is easy for me.
•Will I suffer a sudden unexpected death at a time when my mind and body are fully functioning? If that’s the case, giving up a day would be more difficult.
To give up a day in the nursing home for information that would free me from the consequences of a bad choice, or with tomorrows lottery numbers in hand, financial freedom would allow me to spend more time with my children while they still want my time, I’d give up the day.
For insight on career choices, where to live, marriage… tempting.
To predict the shelf life of grapes, whether or not that peach is dry on the inside, or is the car I’m considering going handle well in snow?… No, I’ll just keep my diaper.
Thank you again Zoe for the use of your Art.
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THE DAILY POST
Sep 6, 2014
DAILY PROMPT
Advantage of Foresight
You’ve been granted the power to predict the future! The catch — each time you use your power, it costs you one day (as in, you’ll live one day less). How would you use this power, it at all?
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/advantage-of-foresight/
A lot from Lydia 
A thoughtful response to the question, Lydia–I enjoyed it. Judy
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Thanks Judy!
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Good thoughts, Lydia. I think I would prefer to be like that tin of sardines you have and just wait for my expiration date.
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Living in mustard sauce might not be a bad life, just a bit crowded though.
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