Drumming Out Destiny

Choice by Choice, Consider All Pathways

It is easier to carry an empty cup.

shallow focus photograph of clear glass mason jar with fairy lights
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Then one that is filled to the brim.

unrecognizable person with cup of ice coffee
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The sharper the knife.

kitchen knife
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The easier it is to dull.

pomegranate and bread knife
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The more wealth you possess.

bullion gold gold bars golden
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The harder it is to protect.

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Pride brings its own trouble.

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When you have accomplished your goal.

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Simply walk away.

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This is the pathway to Heaven.

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Chapter 9 | Tao Te Ching by Laozi

What is fate? What is destiny?

Fate * Destiny * Choice | Music: Caddyshack — Various Artists | [1] I’m Alright – Theme from “Caddyshack”    3:47

It seems especially important to understand fate and destiny since a person’s circumstances can be greatly impacted for the good or for the bad by the roll of the dice of either one.

But do we even have a choice? Can we stack the decks of fate and destiny so we get more paradise and less hell in life? Is this even possible?

Laozi believes it is and chapter 9 shows us further how to drum out our personal destiny day by day by being conscious of the choices we make and actions we take that are determined in a large part by how much we consider. Laozi suggests considering all pathways of action, especially possible opposite actions.

A deeper dive into Chapter 9 by Laozi is provided by DAN CASAS-MURRAY in his podcast-blog: The Tao Te Ching for Everyday Living

It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honors lead to arrogance, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
Taking things too far: Lao Tzu is wonderfully clear in this verse - it’s easy to understand that a knife that’s been sharpened too much loses its edge.  Or that a vessel that is at capacity is overflowing.  
So why is it so hard for me to see that I already have enough?  Why do I need to keep getting more and more to feel accomplished in life?
I don’t know about you, but there have been times when I’ve felt that it’s never enough - and I’ve actually thought, “yeah, I like this - this means I’m driven!  Let me keep this feeling and I’ll always be achieving!”  -- To read more, see The Tao Te Ching for Everyday Living

Feature Archetypal Animation

Blending Modern Images and Music With Ancient Wisdom

Tea Cup Drink Dishes Hot Porcelain Household | Nile | Deutschland  â€˘  Member since Nov. 21, 2014

 Kitchenknife Sharp To Cut Knife Blade | Silberfuchs | Walter Bichler  â€˘  Austria  â€˘  Member since July 26, 2011

Tax Consultant Files Pile Of Files Country Office | Alexas_Fotos | Alexa  â€˘  Steh ĂĽber den Dingen/und finde DEINEN Weg  â€˘  Member since Jan. 6, 2015

 Self Love Man Mirrors Archetypes Awareness | geralt | Gerd Altmann  â€˘  Freiburg/Deutschland  â€˘  Member since Sept. 15, 2012  â€˘  #37

Creation Adam God Man Bible Human Painting Eden | kadumago | Kadumago artista conceitual Kadumago  â€˘  Rio de Janeiro/Brasil  â€˘  Member since Aug. 21, 2018

Footprint Beach Sand Summer | StockSnap | English  â€˘  Member since March 30, 2015

Eye Creative Galaxy Collage Flowers Paint | DanielHannah | Daniel Hannah  â€˘  Age 30  â€˘  Melbourne/Australia  â€˘  Member since Feb. 16, 2018


Drums of Destiny: Moving Energy by Alis Aquilae | Drums of Destiny: Moving Energy    7:08

First Archetypal Animation

Painting: Fate, by Alphonse Mucha from Wiki Destiny

Statue Facial Fate Broken Gemini | szjeno09190 | JenĹ‘ SzabĂł  â€˘  Age 66  â€˘  PĂ©cs/Magyarország  â€˘  Member since Jan. 14, 2015

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Image: Les MisĂ©rables — 2012

Image: Polarization Opposition Conflict Judgment Duality | johnhain | John Hain  â€˘  Age 73  â€˘  Carmel/United States  â€˘  Member since July 24, 2014

Image: Question Unknown Unfamiliar Forgotten | johnhain | John Hain  â€˘  Age 73  â€˘  Carmel/United States  â€˘  Member since July 24, 2014

Music: Caddyshack — Various Artists | [1] I’m Alright – Theme from “Caddyshack”    3:47