We plan for the future not really knowing what the future holds. But without future plans and ambitions we would just exist. Life, however, has its way of reminding us that no matter how much we visualise, at the end of the day it all depends on a combination of planning and fate.
Many would believe that is being fatalistic. I would like to agree with that, but if you take a closer look, there are too many incidents that lead to conclude that events are predetermined and so inevitable.
However, we cannot rule out our actions and the results of our actions. To blame it on fate would be not taking ownership for results of our actions.
‘Day Zero’ in South Africa is a stress that probably effects everyone because who would feel comfortable about knowing the continuity of water. An essential resource that we have taken for granted is now beginning to become a challenge. A reality that is quite painful.
We are not talking about conserving resources for the future generation, we are talking about living with it now.
It means campaigns are not enough anymore. It is time for action and action to be taken by individuals themselves by changing lifestyles.
Speaking of destiny, a reader of Oman Observer replied to the question – ‘Who am I?’ – raised in this column.
Ahmed bin Ali al Riyami, an author, said: “I am a victim of waiting destiny wise):
To begin with, in the divine process of being created, I caused my mom and dad together with other members of my family to anxiously await my birth while my society/community awaited me, on their part, to add one more member of the already existing human beings forming the very society/community. The confined act of both parental and social/ communal awaiting turns up to a wider version of my being added to a population by my country — as another countryman.
I then singly become a baby destined for a specific period to grow into a child. Thence, I begin to crawl waiting to be able to stand followed by walking and afterwards running.
When childhood ceases and I have been already waiting for some years, I become a young lad to be educated universally on important matters, both personal and secular, which include well-being and worshipping — pertaining to current affairs representing environmental surroundings in proper dealing of procedures globally. I thus tend to be an active individual among fellow persons through law-abiding behaviour heading towards good citizenship.
As a grown-up, I wait passionately for two prospective necessary aspects of goodwill — covering occupation that leads to means and methods of bread-winning to provide me with health and energy by consuming the essential quality and quantity of water, etc.
Maritally, I am free to decide upon a bond with a partner to wait for expected offspring-inspiring sacred family values — while promoting an increase in human population of awaiting in turn, whatever destiny offers.
Ahmed al Riyami continues to write, saying, “In my case as a practising Muslim, I am being constantly advised in religion that my night prayers should wish everyone to sleep without trouble from dreams, until the new day is born and the call for prayers reminds them of their duty towards God. Then, they rise, facing Mecca the holy place, going down on their knees. These faithful Muslims continue to do so for four more times during the day, every day. While awaiting their destiny from their Creator whom they totally and singly depend on. In case of the lot (fellow human beings) without exception, the waiting ceases only when life expires. Be it by accident, illness or old age.”
That is Ahmed’s answer to the question, ‘Who am I?’
What is your answer?
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