I met a woman who was sitting on a fold-out chair in the park, in front of her there was a heart drawn with chalk which advertised the words "free fun." She was offering free palm readings. After looking into my hand, she started describing each line. She said I would have a big career, two significant relationships, one in my late 30's that I may end up cheating on. I said, "Oh no I don't wanna do that" and she said, "Well, You'll have options." She said I'd have a creative way of writing and cooking, and could tell I'm not someone who likes to stay inside all day. I was with friends, who all took their turn holding their hand to this woman's face. After we said goodbye she said "Make sure to thank your angels because lines can change."

I've turned to spiritual practices like tarot cards, astrology, or random palm reading park ladies to tell me my future or things about myself. But when she said lines can change, I felt a stronger sense of autonomy over my life. I pictured every decision I made like a flood eroding new ravines into my palms.

Last week, I was washing my blender and held on too tight and cut myself. It wasn't a deep cut, but it was still the theatrical kind that wouldn't stop bleeding. It was in the worst spot because every time it would start to heal I'd open up the cut again shortly after from doing any day-to-day activities. Because it didn't heal properly, it left a scar. My lines have changed. What path am I on now that I've created this new line for myself. Did this cut add a PhD in my future? A large inheritance? Will I be loyal to my future significant other now?

I may have changed my fate with this new line, but I didn't realize how much pain I had to go through to create it. If I went to a new palm reader, I wondered what they would understand from the inch long slash right under where my pinky starts.

I've been speaking to people on the /palmistry subreddit. I don't know how much I believe in it or like it because someone told me I was going to die soon.

I don't believe the cut I made actually changed anything, but just humor me because I think the sentiment still stands. Wanting to make changes in your life requires pain and discomfort. Taking ownership over your life is painful, but there's a price to pay for the control. I don't know what new path I'm on now or where it leads but I know this is my path.