Fate and Destiny: a philosophy thread

[Capt Jack]

I've thought about posting this for awhile now. Written and deleted it at least a half dozen times...but eh, I figure what have I got to lose. Right?

Right.

Ok, Ive been around you folks for a bit now and we've got more than our share of deep thinkers. Life experienced folks with alot to add to nearly any topic one can come up with. Before I get this started, just a quick side note or three.

Without getting into details, there have been events in my life of late that have me pondering alot of things from alot of perspectives. Alot of "how did I get here?" "what the 773H do I do now?" etc etc.

Some of it has brought me to pondering fate and destiny at length. Not so much from a cause and effect standpoint, but moreso to the extend of 'does fate and or destiny exist?'

So...with that out of the way your opinions and candid responses would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking to start a debate on the existance of a divine diety, heaven and hell or right and wrong. Now I also dont want to pidgeon hole anyone into answering within any bounds, so if you think it relevant, please feel free. (Just please, respect each others beliefs whether or not you believe the same)

ok...here goes

Do you believe in fate? destiny?
Do you believe that some events in our lives are preordained to work out a certain way regardless of what we do or dont do? or is it more a matter of personal choices...rights and lefts and pure coincidence? a combination of all of the above?
Regardless of what you think.....why?

my deepest thanks to you all in advance.

Capt Jack