Random Thoughts

Before Julius Caeser crossed the Rubicon he sat for a long while, thinking about what to do. His troops werent used to this kind of indescision from their leader. They had fought their way through Gaul and now stood at the gates of Rome. Caeser had been recalled by jealous opponents to return to Rome and lay down his arms. Now he stood at a turning point. Did he take his men and surrender to his would be enemies? Or did he march on Rome and risk an all out civil war? He knew that his career was on the line, a lifetime of achievements and now this was the moment that would see him marching to glory or to certain ignominy. It was a descision too momentous for rational thought or calculation. And so it was as a gambler in a gambler's fit of passion that Caeser crossed the Rubicon. So fateful was that decision and so enormous were its consequences that it has come to stand for every fateful decision taken since. As for the river itself, it is known only in name as its location has long been forgotten. What is it about leaping into the unknown? Where do people derive the strength to do things that seem unimaginable. Sometimes its about risks. Risks are necessary for those who seek to win big, but they can also backlash and turn against us. Sometimes, its necessary to do the unimaginable. Just because people say it cant be done, doesnt mean it cant. Nothing is beyond the realm of possibility. All it requires is that you believe in yourself and are ready to do whatever it takes to get to where you know you need to be. Opposition is always there but they are short sighted compared to you. They cant see the whole act as you can, and there is nothing they can really do unless you make the mistake of letting them. But what does it mean to risk everything in the name of uncertainty? This is I believe, is a fatally human characteristic. In the moment when we have to make our choice we think about fate and hope that God (whichever you believe in) will be guidng us. The truth, in my opinion, behind the success of mastering the unknown comes with personal skill and courage, and not to mention a bit of luck. But sometimes even when we want to master the unknown and fate, everything turns against us. King Louis the 14th of France had one of the greatest fighting machines in Europe and he was able to dominate European politics for this reason. But when he wanted to conquer Europe as a whole, he found himself receiving only small gains in exchange for huge losses. But fate is a fickle thing and Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Jessie Owens, George Washington, Adolf Hitler, Napoleon Bonaparte, Joseph Stalin, Elizabeth 1 and many others have made great achievements in their lifetime against the odds. The real question is what traits do these people have in common. stubborn will to resist perhaps? total belief in themselves, intelligence, supporters and traits which drew those supporters, and a little bit of luck on their side.