@roundsquare I think you read a little further into what I was saying than what I intended. “Our actions impact other people every day.”
I believe humans have free will. (They also sometimes act of animal instincts, but for the purpose of this, I’m sticking with free will.) While there may be a finite number of outcomes for each decision, we still have the capability to make the decision. The decisions and actions we choose make an impact on many other people every day.
If I choose to get in the car and go to the store, it impacts a lot of people. Everyone who is also on the road is aware of my presence, sometimes more aware if I move into their lane or stop short. Some are frustrated with my presence, because they want to drive faster than me. Some people are happy that I was driving by, because I assist them in their car troubles. On an off day, perhaps I also made an impact on the local EMS and police department, therefore also impacting taxpayers and other sources that could benefit from the tax dollars spent. I arrive at the store, the same things transpire between me and other shoppers. Maybe my cart blocks them in the isle, maybe I bump into someone, maybe we’re all stuck in a really long line that’s taking forever because we’re checking out 2 minutes of closing time. Perhaps I’m compliment an elderly woman on her sharp jacket, or ask a man how old his children are when I notice juice boxes and toys in his cart. Perhaps I feel foolish finding out he has no children and decide not to make the same mistake again, or I can decide that it’s a mistake worth risking because he walked away with a smile and so did I. I can decide to give my husband a hug when I return home, or I can yell “hi” over to him as I’m phoning someone else.
Just in the decision of going to the store, I’ve affected all other drivers, shoppers, employees of the store (who have their jobs based on the fact that people shop there), store owner and possibly the store’s company owner and stock holders and prospective buyers, and my husband.
Knowing the weight of every decision I make leads me to believe there is no such thing as meaningless or random in this context.