Eventuality

Posted: July 22, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Wisdom | Tags: | Comments Off on Eventuality

I’ve been contemplating a simple yet profound idea lately: when certain outcomes are inevitable, I should be the one to bring them about.

This isn’t about control. It’s about recognizing that some things will happen regardless, and choosing to be an active participant rather than a passive recipient.

Beyond passive acceptance

There’s something empowering about this perspective. Instead of waiting for life to unfold around me, I position myself as a deliberate actor in my own story.

Philosophers might call this “eventual metaphysics” – the recognition that we’re not static beings but constantly transforming entities. We contain both what we are and what we could become.

This isn’t fatalism. It’s about recognizing patterns and likely outcomes, then stepping forward to shape how they manifest.

Ownership in action

When I see something on the horizon – a project needing completion, a conversation requiring attention, a change demanding implementation – I’m learning to step forward rather than waiting for someone else.

As Camus said, “If something is going to happen to me, I want to be there.” Not just physically present, but actively involved in shaping how things unfold.

This approach transforms external inevitabilities into expressions of personal choice. Instead of being subjected to circumstances, I become the agent through which those circumstances manifest.

In reality

In my work, this means taking initiative on inevitable projects, ensuring they reflect my standards and vision.

In relationships, it means having difficult conversations proactively, creating space for resolution before tensions escalate.

In personal growth, it means facing challenges directly rather than waiting until they force themselves upon me.

Finding the right balance

Of course, this idea has its limits. I can’t control everything, nor should I try. Discernment is key – knowing which eventualities warrant my intervention and which are better left to unfold naturally.

There’s also the risk of overextension. Taking ownership of too many outcomes leads to burnout and diminished effectiveness. I’m still learning where to draw these lines.

The deeper current

At its heart, this approach transforms my relationship with time and possibility. I’m no longer waiting for life to happen to me; I’m actively participating in its creation.

It’s about authentic engagement with my own becoming – expressing who I am while shaping who I’ll be.

In choosing to be the agent rather than the object of change, I discover what it truly means to author my own existence. And in that authorship lies the essence of a life fully lived.