Destiny is no matter of chance.
It is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.
Williams Jennings Bryan I was speaking to a close friend recently about his work, and what was happening at his job, and he said something that really struck me in a powerful way.
He was talking about a meeting that he just had with officials from his company, and they were telling him that, after 5 years with the company, his contract wouldn't be renewed.
He realized, as he looked across the room at the people with whom he was talking to, that he was uncomfortable about having his future completely left in the hands of these people.
"They don't even know me"! He told me.
"Why would I just lie down and play dead, and let them determine my future?"He knew right then and there, that it wasn't really those people who were speaking to him at that moment, but his destiny speaking in the form of those people's voices.
He recognized that while his future may be unknown, it is entirely his own, and should never be decided by someone else.
I admire him so much for his clarity of thought, and his focus of mind.
I've known this guy for a very long time, and one thing that always comes to me about him is that I wish that I had half of his skills, and a quarter of his compassion.
This is a guy that, when he makes a promise, he not only follows up on it, but he does it better than anyone ever thought could be done.
He is the kind of person that anyone would love to have on their team, but few actually do.
If ever I had a mentor, and he has mentored me on a few things, I would want it to be someone like him.
He is a very genuine and real person.
But, the point that he made is so true, we shouldn't ever let our future be decided by someone who doesn't have our best interests in mind.
They really don't care about how it affects us; it's their own image that they are usually concerned with.
Actually letting these people decide our future retards our growth and frustrates our future.
It's important at this point to recognize one very important point: There is only one thing in this world that we 100% control over and that is our choices! They are completely in our own hands.
Oh sure, we often think that other people can make them for us, and we often let them, but please realize that it is us, and only us, who are responsible for our depth and direction in life, and don't let anyone tell you differently!My friend could very easily have been bitter and upset, and he probably was for a day or so, who could blame him, but through it all, I'm sure he realizes, that destiny shouts in very subtle ways, and when we can see through all of the fog and indecision that influences our decisions and our choices, and learn to listen to the sure quiet voice inside of us, we usually know when it is time to make a decision that will lead to a deliberate action that can and often does change our lives.
What is interesting about destiny is the fact that even though we can't possibly know what it is, we know it when it happens, and while it is out of our hands to know what it is or from whence it comes, it is in our hands to complete it.
It always seems that the more we deny our destinies, the more obvious it becomes.
Reaching our destiny is like swimming in a river:The harder we try to swim against the current, the more tired we become, and the further we get from where we should be.
Relax.
Watch the current, learn to swim with it instead of against it:It's less tiring, and much more productive, and you'll arrive at your destiny much faster.
Make this your best week ever! Paul