Exploring Possibilities: Destiny Versus Fate
Fate and destiny, these are the two words which are used by most of us to define the future. It is said that the quality of our life depends on the quality of distinctions we create in our life. Let us create the distinction between these two words.
Conventionally when we have to differentiate the two words, we use a dictionary. So as per the dictionary FATE is “the power that some people believe controls everything that happens” and DESTINY is “the power that people believe controls their lives”.
So this distinction starts from the dictionary itself. Fate and destiny both have controlling influence. Fate controls “what happens”. Destiny controls “our lives”.
Let us understand this with a story…
Once upon a time, five wise men got lost in the forest.
The first one said:
– I will go to the left – my intuition tells me that.
The second one said:
– I will go to the right – because “the right” comes from the word “rightness”.
The third one said:
– I will go back – we came from there, it means I will go out from the forest.
The fourth one said:
– I will go straight – we should move forward, the forest will end and something new will open.
The fifth said:
– You are all wrong. There is a better solution. Wait for me.
He found the tallest tree and climbed into it. While he was climbing everyone else scattered towards their own sides. From above he saw where they should go to leave the forest faster. Now he could even see in what order the other wise men will reach the end of the forest. He climbed higher and saw the shortest way. He understood the problem and found the best solution!
So ladies and gentlemen, in my humble opinion destiny is the situation that comes to you. Which are beyond your control. None of us choose our parents. They were destined to us. Our looks, our nose, our size, our skin colour all are destined.
Maybe we can put some makeup on and improve our looks, that's it. If you want to know how one looks, do not look at Instagram or FB profile picture, rather look at the aadhar card picture. That is our destined look. So these situations are destiny. But our response to these destined situations will be our choice. This choice will make our future destiny, and decide my fate.
That’s why we say man creates his own fate.In the above story, all the five characters have the same situation, and got lost in the forest. Each one chose his own course of action. They had different attitudes. If we categorize them, the first four had the attitude to assume.
Fifth one had an attitude of not leaving anything for assumption. This attitude is a choice, as attitude is not taught, it is caught. If we choose that attitude, the chances of victory will enhance for you.
Even if the victory or success does not come to you right away, at least you have sown the seed, which will definitely pay back and fructify. It may do so five years down the line or later.
These seeds which you sow as a response or choice for each of the destined situations will decide the crop of your fate. Each seed will yield to a tree of possibility, and with passage of time you will explore further possibilities…….
(The author is a Certified Designed Thinking Master practitioner and Clifton Certified Strength Finder Coach, Corporate Trainer and a Leadership coach. He is based in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India.)