Fate: something that unavoidably falls on a person; fortune; lot
Last week I wrote approximately 15 pages about the different ways that characters in medieval British literature viewed fate. Now that probably sounds like a real bore to you, but it's actually more relevant to your life than you probably think. You're probably wondering what on earth you could possibly have in common with Beowulf, Tristan, and Ysolt, or Sir Gawain, so I'll clue you in. The way you view fate probably has had a major influence on your life, whether you realize it or not.
If you believe in fate...
If you believe in fate, you're probably the type of person who easily "goes with the flow." When things go wrong, you toss your hands up in the air because there was nothing you could have done to avoid it. Additionally, you probably live a pretty relaxed life and tend not to sweat the small stuff. Although there are obvious benefits to this kind of mindset and lifestyle, such as a low-stress level, you may have difficulty taking initiative in work, school, or relationships. This may mean that you're more of a follower than a leader because, like I mentioned before, you'd much rather "go with the flow" than swim upstream. If you're wondering how this relates to British literature, Ysolt, from Le Roman de Tristan, spends more time "lamenting her fate" than actually attempting to solve her problem or even praying.
If you don't believe in fate...
In contrast, there is also the kind of person who believes that they do not have a set destiny and their choices define who they are. If you do not believe in fate, you probably find yourself obsessing over minute details and have a serious case of perfectionism. While people who don't believe in fate may be hard workers and possibly more successful in their careers, it is easy to see the downsides of this mindset as well. If you subscribe to this viewpoint, you probably want to take everything into your own hands, and this can be very stressful. When things go wrong in your life, you probably have a tendency to blame yourself, and maybe that's not entirely too healthy either. In terms of British literature, Sir Gawain of King Arthur's court had a similar viewpoint towards fate.
Both good and bad things can be said about both sides of the fate spectrum. In hindsight, it is probably a good idea to mix both mindsets together and find some sort of equilibrium. Going with the flow all the time isn't always the road to success, but constantly stressing out isn't the most healthy thing you could do either. It's probably best to know when to take matters into your own hands, but also know when it's time to let things go.
