The Past and Linear Causality

"... to know a thing's nature is to know the reason why it is..." - Aristotle

Certainly it is safe to presume that we were all born, and from that moment, even before that moment, from before conception, a line of causality originates, veering off from the intersection of two lines (mother and father), here a third line starts, you as the observer of your own life. Every moment of everyday is a cause, for we are all influenced by everything, consciously or subconsciously. Not only does what you do have impact, but also what you think, because thought, necessarily, is the basis of action and reaction. We must also note that the way you experience something is a cause of how future experinces will be reacted to or acted upon. The actions of others, even their presence, are causes, the effects of which may not be known immediately. But a person is not capable of weeding through all the causes of their situation, but can understand the larger scope of their linear direction, and plot a course for the future, thereby having some idea of what may become of their life.

First, one must understand who they are (an eternal question), and how they respond to stimuli or causes, and then presume to understand the causes of their current state of being. Progression, regression, and decadence; often applied to social stages, these ideas can be applied to the individual within a society, also a cause, as the issues immediate to that society also contribute to the thoughts of a person. Account must be taken of those things which have not provided an accounting of cause. Then plot away, and determine if this is where you wish to go, much like navigating a ship.

Take time from a day to think upon your situation, upon the events, even the small ones, of that day, of previous days, and imagine the ways it has contributed to your path. No man can see with precision the things that lay ahead, but he can, by seeking out to cause, change the way he reacts; thus helping to steer his own ship, rather than be driven by another. (for some reason I keep coming back to the ship metaphor). But, to tie in the quote at the top, to know where you're going, in general terms, is to know the general effect you'll cause; the nature of your being, and, finally, why you are.

Have you ever hoped for flying cars? They're called airplanes. The future is here!! :)