text: While it is true that biological and early childhood experiences can do much to shape one's future, the best way to known one's future to take a good look at one's past and one's present. Those things you take forgranted, habits in your behavior and your thinking, openess or lack of openess to new ways of thinking and doing things....these are the things that shape your "fate" and/or "destiny". \n\nSo, I would have to say no, if you mean by these terms fate as something predetermined by some supernatural agency beyond my control. On the other hand, I would say yes, if you mean those things that I am unwilling to examine and change for the better within myself.  This argument, however, fails to acknowledge the things beyond one's control: for example, if you're born into an impoverished family with poor nutrition, no access to education or to financial gain, and in a country that is torn by war... then the field of choices available to you may be greatly limited. A choice that is impossible or greatly limited in your environment is not really a choice then.  Nonetheless, even within a limited field of choice, there are some choices that are better than others, if you can just see them and make them and make the best of whatever life you have. Therefore, the power is always with you to change the course of your life even if only slightly...so the final answer is No, I don't believe in fate or destiny.