It's Not My Fate, It's My Choice

We like to think that everything that happens to us during our lifetime has a purpose. Surely, things do not just happen just for the sake of occurring or we at the least like to think so.  Truth of the matter is, that we have been conditioned this way from the books we have been read as children or the pep talks we have heard from our parents. There is always a moral to every story; a lesson to be learned or inspiration to be gained. Life is about choices and everything we experience is a result of the choices we have made. What if that wasn’t the case? Some choose to believe in fate to explain their live fortunes or misfortunes.

The dictionary defines fate as something that unavoidably befalls a person.  Our choices do not matter because anything that can go wrong will go wrong (Murphy’s Law). If that is the case then it is only logical to assume that our decisions are not really decision; our choices are not really choices, everything has been predetermined, it is our destiny.  Let us hypothesize that you are driving on the freeway going about 5 miles over the speed limit, just to be realistic because we all know hardly anyone ever goes at the speed limit when the driver in front of you, which you were tailgating, slams on his breaks. The left shoulder divider impedes you from swerving left and a car prevents your maneuver to your right.  You either slam against that divider or hit the car who slammed their breaks in front of you or the driver along your right side. No matter which of these options you choose this is your fate and you cannot escape it.  If you refute this idea and believe tha, nothing in life is predetermined then you must believe that you do have choice and each decision brings with it a different outcome. Accidents don’t have to happen and subtle changes can make a huge difference such as that extra 5 MPH or that extra space between cars.

Sir Isaac Newton said it best, for every action there is an equal and opposite re-action. I believe that once you have succumb to the idea of fate or destiny then that is when you stop living for your life and begin living the life you think you are supposed to be living. We have this obsession of always wanting to know what the future hold for us, so eager for success in time of failure and desperate to be happy during our sorrows. I know that everything that has happened to me, whether good or bad, I was responsible for but I don’t let that define who I am or depict what my life will be. Failing does not make you a failure just as being rich doesn’t make you a success. Life is about obstacles and the decisions you make to overcome or withstand them. There are three types of people in this world; those who wonder what happened, those who watch things happen, and those who make things happen (Mary K. Ash). The choice is yours, which will you be.

You Stepped On My Jordans!

So I don't know about everyone else but when I think about Michael Jordan I think about the 6 NBA titles, his dunk from the freethrow line or even of his award winning role in Space Jam (not really award winning but he got to work with Bugs Bunny... just as good!). This is coming from a person who loves basketball. Ask others the same question and their response is not quite the same.The Air Jordan clothing and foot apparel. That is correct Jordan’s fame and popularity crossed over to the world of fashion. The Jordan brand is everywhere from socks, t-shirts and even in video games. Point is that I am amazed how many people purchase Air Jordan BASKETBALL shoes and do not use them to play basketball! Maybe it’s me being a hater because I have never owned a pair myself (yes I am poor) but why in the world would someone purchase high end basketball shoes and not use them for that purpose?

Let us take a trip down memory lane to my elementary school days. I remember one of my friends had just gotten the new Kobe Ones. She actually played basketball in them during our recess break and I remember her saying “I felt like Kobe out there with these shoes” all scuffed up by the end of the day but a smile still on her face. Today it is more like, “I feel like Michael walking down the street in these shoes”. Step on some Jordan’s today and this is the reaction you get, “You stepped on my Jordan’s!” followed by a look of hatred. I’ve seen people, including some of my friends, show up to play basketball whether it be outdoors or indoors and as soon as they are ready to play take off their Jordan’s and put on some $50 basketball shoes. C’MON MAN! Talk about a fashion statement. Owning a pair of these shoes has become a luxury that not all of us can afford (me). Basketball shoes of this prestige are better suited for a night out, a first date, or the first day of school just to make that first good impression. As one of my friends put it, “they aren’t basketball shoes anymore, they are fancy shoes you wear to the club”