“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.” –Benjamin Button (played by Brad Pitt) in the movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
I found the abovementioned movie quite fascinating and particularly the quote above and the context with which it was placed.
At various times throughout the film I was left to ask, ‘Is life about fate or destiny?’
I believe the above quote is so significantly truthful it requires further analysis and meditation. Our lives really are defined by the opportunities that float our way and what we do with them.
It reminds me of the fork in the road quote from Yogi Berra. He says to simply ‘take it,’ i.e. make a decision and just do something; preferably the right thing. So, in this context, we could decide to take the opportunity or decline it.
At times it’s wise to ‘miss’ the opportunities presented. There is no shortage of things we can do that would be downright wrong; vice it seems is so prevalent in our societies if we scratch at the surface.
We can also serendipitously find ourselves in a better situation than we hoped. In other words, we can suddenly realise our fortune in making the right choice afterwards. Is that luck or good management?
Our life course is defined primarily by our choices, based on the opportunities we either take or leave alone. Fate or destiny? It really depends on your belief system. Perhaps our destinies change or can be re-written. Perhaps the ‘book of life’ is written as we go. That opens a theological hornet’s nest!
Nonetheless, there’s no doubting the relevance of the statement: Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss. These opportunities, taken or not, define our destiny.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
1 comment:
Interesting perspective on the movie. I plan to see it and I will think about your comments. Thanks for sharing.
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