I didn't really like the first sentence that came out of the Master's mouth. She said that my dad gave up 10 years of his life span so that I can be born. Judging from my four pillars of destiny, I'm not fated to lead a good life because I'm someone who doesn't have the fire element in my eight characters, and a normal person is supposed to have all five elements. So I guess I'm a freak.

What followed was a gloomy picture of how my life has been, and will be, simply because I'm "fire-less". I may die before I reach 40; I can't own a business because it'll fail. And when I related to her that I think my life's just fine, she'll tell me I must have done many good deeds (I like to believe I did, and am still doing good deeds) thus accumulating good karma. When she guessed wrongly that I've never started my own business, she'll respond by saying that it's still early to tell. The gods have been merciful so far but it doesn't mean they will be in future. Heck, she sure can get herself out of such situations...and in the process, succeeds in making me feel like my future is fraught with uncertainties and perils.

Of course, I try to reassure myself that I'm the master of my own destiny. And I've always believed in taking responsibility to create my own future. Believing in the theory that life's predetermined just seems such a loser's mentality. It's a way of rationalizing why one's life sucks and in doing so, conveniently giving up the responsibility to take charge of our life. Being born with a lousy destiny just means I have to work doubly hard to get what I want. Screw all naysayers!