Fate Is Determined Not by Heaven but by the Heart
Masters and scholars of fate often maintain that a person's destiny is set at birth, treating fate as an innate and unchangeable law.
Yet a person's life is not fixed or absolute; when the heart changes, life can flourish, and as one evolves, destiny can shift. This view has existed since the Spring and Autumn period and has been borne out time and again throughout history.
A relative of mine basked in brief early-career glory, enjoying both fame and money, which made him reckless. Looking at his facial features, he was gaunt, with prominent cheekbones, hollow temples, and an overbright gaze—signs of inflated self-regard that left him dismissive of others’ advice. At the time, his luck was waning; he was warned to avoid financial ventures and beware deceitful friends. He ignored the warnings, was betrayed by a close friend, and suffered heavy stock-market losses, piling up massive debts and going overnight from a charismatic figure to someone in dire straits. He turned to fortune-telling, convinced he was still destined to succeed, borrowed from relatives, and plunged back into the market—only to sink deeper. For nearly a decade he was afraid to settle, constantly on the move, though he grew more cautious and less rash.
When I saw him again after forty, he had filled out, seemed more relaxed, and looked healthier. He had started a small company and was steadily paying off his debts. He spoke of the past with more restraint and acted more prudently, crediting the change to the pressure of survival. After ten hard years, he had essentially remade himself, and his relatives had also revised their view of him and offered support. You could say this was when his fortune truly began to turn.
In his youth, he was ambitious and rash, hoping to get rich overnight after a small win in the stock market, only to meet a harsh reversal. From a fortune-telling perspective, one might claim that after forty his luck was spent and opportunities scarce. Yet the opposite proved true: although the old glory was gone, his capacity for growth remained, and his foundation was stronger. Life itself forced him to bow his head and seek redemption. There’s a saying about sudden enlightenment, and it aptly describes how he shed his old habits over the course of ten years.
He is fortunate amid misfortune. Many people today fail to cherish their lives, continuing recklessly even as problems arise. When life reaches the point where change is unavoidable, major setbacks often follow. Only in adversity do people seek guidance and awakening—and by then they have lost not only the moment at hand but also precious time.