Keeping up with the Jonses like a good little soldier?

If you are referring to the one that you said you were inspired to start a new thread, yes, I read it all.

I've always noticed that it is/seems to be part of human nature that we often settle for "CHANGE" in life (instead of insisting on "PROGRESS" ONLY), meaning that we view all change as "GOOD" progress. It's almost like we're afraid of success. Human nature is that we're ATTACHED to (maybe sentimentally or because we feel it's safer) and validated by the "status quo" (don't MAINTAIN the status quo, IMPROVE your situation/life). You are going to have to break the habit of "maintenance" (maybe by realizing this, you will).

As a child, we are given the impression that there is ONE "proper" way of living (a STANDARD) and we try to (think we have to) "measure up" (Keeping up with the JONSES") to that standard instead of living for ourselves (choose your destiny).

Your destiny begins in one second.

(only the creator has any knowledge of "predetermined", His kingdom is either FIRST in our hearts, OR we simply will never have any part of it,...meaning if WE CHOOSE to live a heavenly and peaceful lifestyle, our destiny is to return to Him). God PRE-knew our hearts, but "predetermined" is His business, not ours. So just go ahead and ENJOY doing what you have decided (IF you wish to "ENJOY" as any sane human being wishes to enjoy, God wants us to have "joy").

Destiny is ours to enjoy.