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Originally Posted by mercurialbliss  If you see this as a cliche, then you clearly don't get what I mean. We don't have control over any of those things but we do have control over the choices we make. To say we can't choose how we will react to our circumstances is irresponsible at best. It's entirely up to each of us to shape whatever future we want using whatever we've been given. |
But we don't have (total) control over the choices we make. Firstly, our choices have already been seriously constrained by other people and circumstances. Secondly, people do not always react/make choices that are consistent with their intentions (if our control was so absolute, they would be consistent). This is hardly irresponsibility; it is, however, part of the human condition (ie. knowing we are going to make a mistake before we even make the decision that led to it). Already it is quite the clumsy definition of self-actualization...but your last sentence was the kicker. Are you saying the futures that different people want are constrained by what they've been given? And by connect-the-dots, that many things are not in our control? When you take this belief into the real world, and when you personally achieve success, do you credit your family and friends? Are there no real people or circumstances that could get in your way? IMO, this cliche is of the worst variety...in that it exists only in the minds of white first worlders.