Control is one of the more complicated aspects of the human experience. There have been arguments that say humans really have no control at all and there have been arguments that we are totally in control. I wonder at the reality and have no answer besides the fact that we are doomed to try. We try to gain control of our minds, our lives, and sometimes of others, but we are creatures that understand cause and effect; therefore, we must try to change the cause in order to control the effect.
This is a topic that we have touched on in many works in class. In Oedipus, the titular hero attempts to control his fate and ends up sealing his fate in the process. In Waiting for Godot, we see characters who obviously have no control over anything at all. Ultimately, Vladimir and Estragon relinquish their control to Godot by waiting for him; this is something that many people do in order to avoid the responsibility of control.
In terms of the real world the concept of gaining control over one's life is exemplified on this very night. New Years Eve is the celebration of a new year, which is seen as a new opportunity for change. People make New Years resolutions; decisions to make a change during this new year. It's a cute concept, but often these resolutions are short-sighted and ultimately unimportant. If the change one wishes to make is important at all, then that change would have already been made. Using the new year as a reason to change relinquishes the responsibility of control of oneself to the calendar. For those who follow through with their resolutions, the new year is not an excuse for their past failure to be in control, but a challenge to improve themselves in some way with the new year. I can appreciate this.
I feel my blog getting more cynical by the minute and maybe even a little pessimistic. It is not my intention really to bash new years resolutions; if the new year is a source of motivation for you, then by all means, make a positive change in your life. I just feel that the root of the issue that resolutions bring up is control. It is my belief that we should all be in control of ourselves. If their is any way that we can make a difference, then it is with ourselves. We alone bear the responsibility of our selves, if not our fate. Perhaps our fate is determined, but our state of mind as we approach fate is within our control.
:-) Very good!
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