Paradoxically, the more a person accepts that determinism shapes reality, the greater the freedom they might feel.

"Heavy is the crown," as the saying goes. Believing you're in charge of your life burdens you with responsibility for every choice - past choices are sources of regret, future choices, objects of anxiety.

The more we believe in free will, the less free we seem to be. If I think that "I" am carrying the crown, acting as my own master, then I am weighed down. Yet, if I surrender to the understanding that larger forces shape my path - perhaps the will of God or the flow of predetermined events - then I am truly free.

My steps become light and untroubled.

Also, it renders me unable to judge another for their actions, seeing their path also as being determined. What a revolution for the justice system, if people started accepting the reality of determinism. We might have to start doing the humane thing and help people change, rather than punish people for things they have no control over.

There is but one choice. The choice we ultimately make. And when there is but one choice, there is no choice at all. Only the illusion of choice.