Developing Usable Experiences

Pattern that is not pattern

August 3rd, 2009 6:52 am —  18 views

While studying religion and philosophy in college, the subject of destiny was a puzzling one. At the time, and for the most part even now, I rejected the notion of predetermined destiny. It’s taken me years of thought and reflection to recognize that things aren’t so black and white.

The pattern that is not a pattern is action without a long term plan. Such actions rely more specifics of circumstance to govern outcome than choreography. While curiosity and motivation can affect specifics of circumstance, having a plan is very different. Having a plan recognizes long term over short term.

This type of thinking has me wondering whether those who hold that we have a destiny are in their own way planning and as such following a more narrow path by intention. In which case, perhaps destiny seems a more fitting an explanation for what happens.

But I don’t really believe that. I’ve seen how cause and effect can produce amazing and unpredictable results. I’ve also seen people set long term goals and achieve them. Even when those goals seemed almost impossible.

We are all born into unique circumstances. Short and long term choices of those around us also influence our actions. To some degree there is predictability, thanks to the convincing power of statistics and study. We are who we are and where we are as a result of the accumulation of our actions. Where we go from here is influenced but not governed by the inertia of our past. For some reason I keep reminding myself of this.

Is the act of seeking a pattern to live by a form of pattern or wasted time? Is there a grand plan for all of humanity or are we making our own destiny simply because we can?

Heavy thoughts for an early Monday morning, but dreams and events of late have me pondering life. It gets complicated so fast.

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One Response to “Pattern that is not pattern”

  1. Dawn on August 13th, 2009 8:28 am

    like the art!

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