The ancients used the word fate far more frequently than us because they were better acquainted with and exposed to how capricious and random the world could be. Events were considered to be the “will of the Gods.” The Fates were forces that shaped our lives and destinies, often not with much consent.
There is always someone or something that could change the plan. And that person is not us. As the saying goes, “Man proposes but God disposes.”
The way life is gives you plenty to work with, plenty to leave your imprint on. Taking people and events as they are is quite enough material already. Follow where the events take you, like water rolling down a hill–it always gets to the bottom eventually, doesn’t it?
Because (a) you’re robust and resilient enough to handle whatever occurs, (b) you can’t do anything about it anyway, and (c) you’re looking at a big-enough picture and long-enough time line that whatever you have to accept is still only a negligible blip on the way to your goal.
We’ re indifferent and that’s not a weakness.
As Francis Bacon once said, nature, in order to be commanded, must be obeyed.
* Source: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday