Is our life predetermined like most of the religions claim? So what happens to the free will? Can these two be combined together? Is the predetermination true but because we don’t know what is in store for us then it seems like we have a free will to choose our course of actions? If this is true, then people wouldn’t want to strive for the best because whatever he does would not change the outcome as it has been decided since even before he was born.

In this note, it is interesting to see what some people say. Stephen Hawking once noted that some people believe that everything is predetermined yet still look before crossing the road. The famous Confederate General, ‘Stonewall’ Jackson once quoted as saying ‘Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. Captain, that is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.’

I am convinced that predetermination theory is true but I rather approach it like what Quantum Mechanics says about parallel universes. Imagine that we are presented with several different paths leading to only God knows what. The end of each path has been predetermined albeit still mysterious to us, but we have free will to choose which one we prefer to take. Once we set foot to one particular path, then the outcome is certain. All those paths are parallel universes leading to various ends or to another intersection where we face another sets of branches. Hence the combinations of the paths are unlimited. We practically could end up in different scenarios even in the one we have never imagined before. Does it seem complicated? No, it is quite simple, we just need to think of what is the best path to take, the one that we believe would make us a better and happier person, and the one that gives us higher chance of becoming more useful to our loved ones and our society. It is not a rocket science. Life is a game of choices. Get our mind focused on what we believe the best and carry on. If the end result is not as we have expected, it is obvious we have made the wrong set of paths. Can we fix it? Of course, for as long we live, we always have many different options going ahead at our disposal. The good things is, if we fail and if we succeed, at least we live as we believe.

What do you have for lunch? Prawns, squids and fried food may lead you to a shorter life by one hour, less or even not at all depending what path you choose after that. It is predetermined in certain way but your still have free will to choose.