Possibility pt. I

“The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.” - George Bernard Shaw

If we stop to think about it, much of our time is spent responding to the actions and desires of others. I've heard and uttered the phrase "Just going with the flow," and when I've said it I usually have found myself temporarily paralyzed by something "outside my control". I think perhaps this is how we cope with unpleasantries such as failure or unfortunate circumstances. Illness, disease, disaster, catastrophe - and these words are all relative, subjective, up for personal perspective and interpretation.... as is anyone's perspective or interpretation :-) Could it be that in order to rationalize our lack or action and and/or lack of control or even understanding we surrender ourselves to the will of others, of a god or a parent or a lover? Do we "Go with the flow" because honor, dignity and pride lie within one's ability to "handle" a difficult situation? And can we even call the decision to wait, to react "handling" anything - or is it merely a way we pass responsibility over the outcome onto another and thereby release our precious self image from any further damage?

Is this wise? Is this a coping mechanism, an instinct necessary for survival? Is it more human to analyze, investigate, fix, maintain control - or it is more human to step back, hand over the reins and say "I will simply take it as it comes"? Which one truly opens more doors, provides us with more choices - better choices? Does a life of action ensure we reach our objectives or merely close off the majority of the other options?

I can argue either side of this, so I find myself completely confused. Through our action we do indeed block out a significant portion of our options and yet by making the decision to walk a particular path we open up what lies a few steps in - those things we cannot yet see. So what is "right"? IS there a right? I like the idea of alternate worlds where all possible potentialities exist and each possible pathway is chosen. I feel some sense of beauty and awe in this idea and yet I wonder if it isn't my mind attempting to make me feel just in my choice - whatever it may be... that it is not final and that I can stop worrying about what would happen IF ONLY since it IS happening, just to an otherworld version of me who may or may not be as happy but is most assuredly a different person for her experiences. Maybe Deja vu is merely the shared experience of an event by two or more or these otherworld personas... maybe we aren't even the "main character".

Love,

M