In most cases the way things play out is not as horrific as they could have gone had the determinants been different. Additionally, the same determinants that might result in a disappointing outcome at present may have, at other times, led to happier outcomes. For example, sometimes the very characteristics that result in two people forming a deep romantic connection might at some future time cause them to separate. Similarly, determinants that currently may be causing problems may lead to happier results in the future. It is true that if you had different determinants a particular painful outcome might have been avoided, however, with those different determinants, all of the happy moments, the moments you look back on with delight, would also most likely not have occurred. Recognizing how both our joys and sorrows can result from the same set of determinants is an important part of metawareness.