Options

"I am considering my options", have you discussed all the options?" " will discuss the options', "i had no other options". I think my readers can think of many other variations that i have missed here of the same question. What to do and what not to do. To be or not to be, what to be, what not to be. Every moment each human being is presented with so many options. So many vistas to choose from, and each path taken or not taken defines us and our life path. But are we really that free to choose, to exercise free will? Does life really gives us that many options? A friend once said to me, as i chafed at the inequalities and constriants of my life, " perhaps kulsume, life doesnt have as much to offer (as u expect).That made me wonder, do i really expect too much from life? i was born with an innate faith in God. it is fortunate that i have never doubted the presence or power of God. So, i said to myself, when i believe that God can do anything, then is it too much if i want or expect him to fulfill all my dreams and wishes, which i want sincerely and not at the expense of anybody else's happiness? Seemed fair enough.Life is strange. One has one's own agenda and but God has his own. So many options that are presented to us everyday seem like options because we never took them, as we could choose only one of many. And we look back and think, oh i could have done that too if i wanted to, but i didnt. i tried to do that but couldnt. if only... but only the spiritually enlightened know that at that moment in time, we had only one option. The one we TOOK. It was to be, and, is,perhaps, as it should be. However, i like to think that options that a person has are based on larger issues, and choices. Lets say I want to be a crook, i have the choice of becoming one of so many types of crooks. But I will only become the type which fate allows me to be. But since I wanted to be a crook more than anything else in the world, I will become one.That is how life balances Will and Fate. The values we carry and our larger dreams usually come true, but what shape and clothing they wear is determined by our circumstances. So my friend who wanted to become a Chairman of some orgsnization might not become one, but if he stands fast he will get recognition and fame and respect and perhaps a little more money, if he tries hard in that direction, and since these are his larger hopes and desires, thats good enough. Being the permanent optimist and believer in the correlation between human effort and divine help, I think we have always have the option to dream and aspire, to live according to our values and goals. We always have the option to refuse to do whats wrong and to do what is right, what our heart says is right. And that is enough choice. Keep expecting more and aspiring for more,nothing wrong with daring to dream. Our dreams have as mauch chance of coming true as not, so why not give them a try. One will never know if one never tries.Its not easy and gives us pain and pleasure,makes us insecure and scared at times, but life should not be lived in half measures. If we had all the answers at the outset, our life would be like a book whose last chapter we read even before starting its first. Where our choices take us is the beauty and mystery of life, which is beautiful despite its pathos and pain, and we are lucky to be alive.