There is a lot of discussion concerning “Freewill” and “Fate” in today’s world. The vast majority of society appears to believe that their current circumstances and surroundings are the result of the mysterious, cryptic workings of an all-powerful force over which they have no control.
This ability is referred to as “Fate.” While they disagree about what it is, what it does, and how it works, they all agree that it has some control over their actions, movements, and circumstances, predestining them to a predetermined state of affairs – each to varying degrees of wealth or poverty, health or sickness, happiness or sadness, and a variety of other things in between.
While some circumstantial evidence is widely understood to support their belief in “Fate,” no true factual proof exists to support a dogmatic viewpoint in its favour. On the other hand, “freewill” cannot be expressed in the same way. There is simply too much concrete evidence to deny its existence.
As a result, the minority – those within it who actually believe in “Freewill” – the belief that we are independent agents responsible for a large part of our own state of affairs – believe that claiming to believe in “Fate” is a pretentiously evadable tactic used by those within the majority to deny responsibility for their state of affairs – their specific amounts of poverty or prosperity, happiness or despair, and so forth – and to justify their failure to take responsibility for their failure to take
Despite the fact that there are numerous examples that could be given, if space allowed, to support the validity of “Freewill,” and which examples might work just as well, I have chosen Henry Ford because his story is most remarkable in that it embodies the true essence of “Freewill” as closely as possible. Henry Ford made the life-changing decision to become an apprentice mechanic at the age of sixteen. That may not appear to be a major decision, but it was in Henry Ford’s case.
Henry Ford had no idea that his decision was intended to deprive “Fate” of its theoretical power and proclaim the supremacy of “Freewill” – the reality that an individual, not “Fate,” is responsible for one’s own position.
Consider the consequences of a single farm boy’s decision for the United States and the rest of the world. As a result of this decision, Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company, and while Eli Whitney was the first to introduce the assembly line method of production, Henry Ford was one of the first to apply it to the mass production of affordable automobiles, and is credited with helping to establish the middle class in American society.
Henry Ford’s breakthrough was nicknamed “Fordism” since it helped to alter industrial production not just in the United States but also in other countries. Henry Ford did many other things, but his decision to become an apprentice mechanic at the age of 16 was a watershed moment in his life, demonstrating the reality of “Freewill.”
While most people are familiar with Henry Ford’s achievements, few are aware of the challenge he faced when he decided to become an apprentice mechanic at the age of 16. The problem with Henry’s decision was as follows, and it is regrettably still a problem that many of us face today: If Henry had truly believed in “Fate,” as most people do, he would have given up his goal, surrendered himself to a life as a farmer, and accepted his “Fate” as a farm kid.
While most of Henry’s family and friends thought of him as a farmer, he was more concerned with seeing himself as the person he wanted to be and having the courage to take the steps to get there. Henry’s decision was not always warmly received by his family, notably by his father, who was initially emphatic about what he wanted Henry to be – a farmer; nonetheless, Henry was able to succeed due to his proven dedication to achieving what he sought.
Young Henry’s father, like other family members, came to accept and even appreciate Henry’s decision about what he wanted to be; and they saw living proof, through Henry’s own example, that each individual is a “Freewill” agent responsible for his or her own state of affairs – that an individual’s state of affairs is largely determined by specific actions that an individual chooses to exercise through “Freewill.”
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Perhaps you’re still undecided about what you want to achieve and/or if “Fate” or “Freewill” is the better option for you. People will continue to have uncertainties about the objectives they should pursue, and they will debate and disagree over the predominance of “Fate” and “Freewill,” as they have in the past. It may be helpful in helping you come to your own conclusions about “Fate” and “Freewill,” as well as analysing the available evidence. While there is some evidence to support a belief in “Fate,” there is no true concrete proof that might build a dogmatic perspective in its favour – the same cannot be stated for “Freewill.”
We can’t dispute “Freewill’s” legitimacy; we also can’t dismiss its claim to preeminence – see Henry Ford. There is so much actual evidence in support of its validity, and the reality that you can change your situation by taking right action, that we can’t deny its legitimacy. Add in the hundreds of others, such as Henry Ford, whose names I have yet to mention and whose stories I have yet to tell.
Maybe you have an inner desire to be or achieve something, like young Henry Ford, who longed above all else to be a mechanic apprentice. It could be a simple goal that everyone expects of you, or it could be a goal that differs somewhat or dramatically from what is, or what you assume is, expected of you, and you’re not sure how to proceed as a result.
Listen to your inner desire to be and achieve what you want in life, not what someone else wants or expects of you, in either case. And, like young Henry Ford, go for it when you’re sure of what you want to do. Do not, however, alienate yourself from friends and family, as Henry Ford did. Instead, let your resolve to win their approval and support.
After recognising and acting on his right to be a “Freewill” agent, young Henry Ford was better qualified to fix farm equipment and, at the same time, disciplined enough to execute his commitment to work around the family’s farm on his return trips and stays at home. Not only has a 16-year-old farm boy’s decision benefited Henry Ford and his immediate family, but it has benefited America, the world, and you and me in the future.
Can you imagine how much we would have lost if Henry Ford hadn’t chosen to operate as a “Freewill” agent instead of exercising his freedom? When you do the same, what success story will you have to tell?
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey to success.
