“There are only patterns, patterns on top of patterns, patterns that affect other patterns. Patterns hidden by patterns. Patterns within patterns. If you watch close, history does nothing but repeat itself. What we call chaos is just patterns we haven’t recognized. What we call random is just patterns we can’t decipher. What we can’t understand we call nonsense. What we can’t read we call gibberish. There is no free will. There are no variables.” ― Chuck Palahniuk, Survivor
When I read the above quote, I had a disturbing, yet eye opening realization about the adverse consciousness that plagues the minds of some, the idea that we have no choice in the way we live our lives or have any effect on the outcome of anything we do. I think Chuck was inferring that we are stuck in a continuous cycle of chaos, random occurrences and predictability, if that makes any sense at all. Maybe “Survivor” was tougher on him than it should have been. Well, I’m here to tell you what I think, if you even care to listen. Well, if you’re reading this, you’re probably at least a little open to what I have to say, yes?
Indeed, there are patterns and fractals occurring naturally in the world and there are repeated occurrences of historical and other events that have been witnessed and recorded. However, our minds are one of the most powerful things we have, and it has the power to change patterns, to change lives, and to change the world, if we so choose. As long as we continue believing and engaging in old patterns, nothing will change. But if we mindfully choose to replace our old patterns with new life affirming ones, we can have new and better experiences.
Each choice we make affects the lives of not only ourselves but also those around us, and those around them, and so on, and so on… We do have free will (a gift given to us humans from the Universe) and there are infinite variables. It is us who possesses the free will and we are the infinite variables, and that would include you too, Chuck. So, don’t get discouraged. Just remember that a new experience is simply a new thought or a new pattern away.
On Sunday, April 26th at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley, four of our ministers will be answering questions from the audience regarding Replacing Old Patterns. So, if you’d like to engage in this conversation, come on down at 10:30am and inquire within. See you then!
submitted by Rev. Karyn Allen
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