Destiny has a beginning

I had a really cool conversation about destiny recently which I don't really want to divulge here because it's private, but it made me think about some things in respect of the topic and what it might mean for me, or anyone else for that matter.

Destiny is, quite simply put, the events that'll happen to a person in the future. It's not something that's set or programmed, or guaranteed, to occur but in hindsight the word is often used to allude to the certainty a person was to achieve something. For instance, parents may look back on their child who has achieved greatness as a musician and say, she was always destined to do great things as she was so dedicated to her music lessons as a child. The word also is used to describe a hidden power that is purported to control the future events...hidden powers are great, it worked for Superman, but I think there's more to achievement than hidden powers.

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Here's what I've been thinking about; should a person rely on destiny or fate for their successes and ultimate life or should one take a more active role when it comes to their own progression, growth, development and ultimate future?

I know the answer to that in respect of myself...for sure I like to play a part in my future, shape and design it as I'd like it to be and relying on some "higher power" is not in my nature; I rely on my thoughts and attitudes, my actions, determination, resilience, persistence, intelligence, flexibility, adaptability and discipline to name just a few elements essential to one's success. Essentially, *I'm responsible for my achievements, not destiny, fate, that fictional character called Jesus or even the mighty (and totally fucken real) Thor, god of war and fertility.

I do not believe we are able to control destiny per se, to climb aboard it and ride forwards to our desired outcomes. That's called hope, laziness too I guess and a sense of entitlement perhaps. No, sitting back waiting for destiny as a mode of transport to take us to where we want to go and what we want in life isn't going to get us far.

What we can do however, is control, affect and influence what we put into our destiny in the present to affect what we get out of it later; we can work hard, set goals and plans and take steps towards achieving them and that is something which will carry us forward and to our desired outcomes.

Over my life I've seen too many people assume the role of passenger in their own lives and they've reaped the mediocre, uninspiring and unfulfilled results that passive stance earns them. I've also seen people do the opposite, take ownership and their harvest has been bountiful. It's a choice, a pretty easy one in my opinion, but certainly not always easy to deploy and sustain. I think that's one of the reasons people defer to the ethereal thing called destiny and hope rather take a more active role; hard work is hard.

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Every one of us has a destiny to fulfill and every one of us will have a chance to look back at their life, attitudes and actions, at some stage (now or in the future) and feel regretful or contented with them and what they have achieved.

One of the things I asked the person I mentioned above was whether they were happy with their life in this very moment and if so why. There was no response. I then asked, if they felt they'd done everything they could to achieve their goals. My final question was, what could you do now and moving forward to create a happy, fulfilled and meaningful life? It wasn't a question I wanted an answer to, but is a question I think every single person should be asking themselves each morning when they wake up.

Destiny has a beginning and that beginning is now.