Entirely Defined by Their Own Choices

Has anyone ever lived a life entirely defined by their own choices? No. Socioeconomic status, race, gender, the day on which we were born, beauty height. We are defined by millions of variables way beyond our own choosing.

But that's different. That's fate. Those aren't choices made by others.

Others have always made choices for us. Think of the millions drafted into wars decided by their leaders, the causes of which, in retrospect, seem utterly meaningless: a patch of land, someone's religious tenants, the price of a tank of gasoline. 

David Pilcher and Ethan Burke from Wayward Pines "Choices"

Although we want to believe that we have control over our lives we have to understand that so many circumstances, choices, and outside influences change the course of our destiny. The only way you could control your own destiny is if you lived in total isolation from others and from the world around you.

This quote is for August 17, 2017.