The Concatenation Of Events

In rereading Voltaire’s Candide recently I was reminded of how every event in our life becomes a part of our future in some way. Voltaire emphasized the importance of understanding that everything happens for a reason and that each event in our lives ultimately leads us to our current moment He believed in the concept of fate and that we must learn from our past experiences to shape our future.

“’There is a concatenation of events in this best of all possible worlds: for if you had not been kicked out of a magnificent castle for love of Miss Cunegonde: if you had not been put into the Inquisition: if you had not walked over America: if you had not stabbed the Baron: if you had not lost all your sheep from the fine country of El Dorado: you would not be here eating preserved citrons and pistachio-nuts.’

‘All that is very well,’ answered Candide, ‘but let us cultivate our garden.’” ~ Pangloss & Candide

In a post on Medium, Naman Jain told us that, “Experiences are invaluable.” One belief of mine, however, is that experience is not a function of a number. E.g., years experience. The value of experience is not a direct function of age or of time in a role. The factors for me are what have we learned from our experiences and how are we using what we have learned to help others. Jain also told us our past experiences are valuable because:

Personal Growth: Our past experiences, especially the challenging ones, contribute to our personal growth. They teach us valuable lessons and help us develop resilience and strength.
Identity Formation: Our experiences shape our identity. They influence our beliefs, values, and attitudes, defining who we are as individuals.
Decision Making: Our past experiences influence our decision-making process. They provide us with a reference point and guide us in making future decisions.
Empathy: Our experiences, particularly those involving emotional pain or struggle, can foster empathy. They allow us to understand and relate to others’ experiences.

Are you using your experiences to shape the present and future of both yourself and others?

Byron's Babbles