This poem is inspired by life and the choices that people make in life.
I was a secondary school student in Fiji when I read a short sentence written on the back of a door, in a restaurant.
The sentence was profound: ‘Decision determines destiny’
That sentence became my life principle.
No matter what the circumstances in life may be. No matter the karma we arrived with at birth. No matter the choices we choose upon our journey. All persons were also born with free will.
Free will is the belief that people have an opportunity/ability to choose and control their course of action – and also their reaction – to situations, as per their moral responsibility and response. The premise of free will is that people are at liberty to make an independent choice and moral responsibility is the attribution of approval or disapproval, based upon their choice(s).
It is said that the dawn is always invincible. No matter the choices that people made yesterday, with the morn, a new day is born, as an opportunity for people to change their path.
Sometimes, one’s life path is hindered by circumstances of birth, the ill-intentions of other people upon their path, the karma of their previous lives and similar factors.
Nonetheless, until one’s day is done, people must keep sailing on. Sometimes, their journey is blessed and sometimes their faith is tested to see if they have the endurance to face the eye of the storm. This is an exercise in self-awareness and self-acceptance.
During my childhood days, my father repeated one message to me – ‘No matter what other people do, you walk upon your path with purpose. They may seek to lure you with distractions but your duty and dedication is your life legacy.’
Just as a bird is dependent on her wings and not on the tree branch to support her, so people who are as self-reliant as is possible; who strive for a life of purpose; who are not dependent upon a tree branch that has the probability to break away, have placed themselves in a situation to live a fulfilling life.
Some people select detachment and withdraw from society. Some people choose the attachment approach and seek to guide others on their life path. Blessed be their empathy for others and blessed be those who choose to listen and learn.
Of course, there are many paths to learning in life:
– some seek the grace of guidance from other persons
– some learn through love – whether tender or tough
– some choose not to learn
In all circumstances, people have the free will to choose their actions and reactions. They can bow to pressure or to purpose.
This poem was initially inspired by a special soul who made an error in life and was paraded by his State throughout his court trial without restraint, owing to his vulnerability at that moment in time.
He remains incarcerated to this day in a correction facility and there, he found his purpose in life. He matured enough to release himself of previous errors in character. He discovered spirituality and became an assistant to his Sunday School teacher. Soon, he was assigned an additional role – he was promoted to the rank of teacher and permitted to teach his colleagues in the correction facility, basic school curriculum subjects.
As the years passed by, he chose to accept full responsibility for the events that led to his incarceration, although it was a sequence of events that was the true cause of the tragic accident.
Despite numerous attempts for his release, it has not been granted by the State and so he continues to be the sunflower soul that he is. Always walking in the light and guiding others towards the light, with him.
The fact that he chose to transform his life despite his circumstances is a lesson for those that seek change. He is likely due for an early release but for now – and of his own observation – he stands on the outside and watches the ways of the world.
Each birth is a new beginning.
Each life is a new legacy.
Our existence on earth is one moment in time.
Whatever path we choose to walk upon – our decision determines our destiny.
In all circumstances, people have the free will to choose their actions and reactions. They can bow to pressure or to purpose. Picture: SUPPLIED
Free will is the belief that people have an opportunity/ability to choose and control their course of action — and also their reaction — to situations, as per their moral responsibility and response. Picture: WWW.PEXELS.COM/Veerendra
