elegant aspirations

Why are we here? For centuries, philosophers, thinkers, religious and spiritual leaders have explored, debated, and argued over the meaning of the human journey. It doesn’t matter how smart we get technologically; it’s a mystery the magnitude of which is impossible for mortals to fathom. But one thing is certain as we spin through space: we all arrive on this planet with a unique set of circumstances, specific traits we have no awareness of having chosen, and free will. No two circumstances are identical; hence, there’s no obvious blueprint for how we approach our lives. Regardless of cultural norms, societal values, and religious and spiritual beliefs, some have a sense of destiny, while others adopt a more fatalistic outlook. Considering that fate is defined as what happens to you, while destiny is what you make of it, this difference in how we view life is highly significant when it comes to the quality of our lives.  

As a teenager at the Harrow School in England, Winston Churchill had an intuitive sense that terrible times were ahead for Britain and that he would play a prominent role in the struggle. He was appointed Prime Minister in May of 1940 as Britain entered the dark days of World War II. "I felt as if I were walking with Destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour", he later famously wrote. He believed he was "put into the game" at that critical moment by God, to lead Britain through World War II.

Churchill isn’t alone. A powerful sense of destiny, whether individual or collective, has been the driving force behind significant events in world history, both for good and evil. Abraham Lincoln, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela, to name a few, believed it was their destiny to uplift the oppressed. However, belief in destiny can also be delusional, with a monstrous dark side. Such as self-serving beliefs in racial, cultural, economic, and religious superiority, as in the case of Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and the Belgian King Leopold II's rule in Congo, among others.

Significant historical figures succumbing to fate have also shaped our world. This is where destiny and fate meet. Having a sense of destiny does not provide immunity from the whims of fate, as the assassination of Lincoln and the suicide of Hitler so graphically illustrate. The only certainty is that the end, whenever it comes, is unavoidable.

Fatalism also plays a vital role in shaping our world. Uncertain times and feelings of powerlessness often lead to heightened fatalism. One of Churchill’s most outstanding skills as a leader was understanding that if the British surrendered to fatalism, the war would be lost. Today, for obvious reasons, there’s a cold wind of fatalism chilling the atmosphere. Ask people how they’re doing, and common responses include “it is what it is,” “same old same,” “what can you do?” In other words, there’s nothing we can do to change anything, so why bother trying? Sentiments of fatalism aren’t universal; however, they are highly personal, shaped by specific worries and concerns, such as health, money, safety, and climate. For instance, many younger people feel it’s too late to reverse climate change, while older people might feel fatalistic about their health.

It’s hard not to feel fatalistic when you feel powerless. This is why stories of people overcoming these fatalistic sentiments to transcend the apparent inevitability of their circumstances are so compelling. How did they do it? There are many variables: Were they fearless, hardworking, disciplined, or just plain lucky? Were they narcissistic, ego-centric, and self-centered? Maybe they had a strong belief in themselves, a belief in a higher power, a strong sense of purpose?

Mankind’s relationship with fate and destiny always presents challenges. Perhaps you have a sense that you’re destined for “something”, but you can’t work out what it is, so you don’t do anything? Perhaps you feel helpless and hopeless about the trajectory of your life and would like to change, yet you hold a strong belief that your fate is sealed? Perhaps you feel that “the world is going to hell in a handbasket” and there’s nothing to be done. Perhaps you delegate responsibility for your life to a higher power, making the decisions.

No matter who you are and the circumstances you find yourself in, the only control you have is in how you choose to react to events. This means that your free will to choose is your superpower. In the words of the French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian, Voltaire, “You have no control over the hand that life deals you, but how you play that hand is entirely up to you.” You have the capacity to influence your future through your choices and actions actively. And when choice is not self-serving but in service of others for the greater good, you can be assured that, no matter what, you are living your life to its highest potential, and that’s a destiny well worth living for.