Destiny is what I believe in.
Winston Churchill once said when he was a boy, he told his childhood friend that he would one day save the British Empire from falling into enemy hands. He didn’t know how he knew that but he said with confidence, “It is my destiny and I know it.”
Doesn’t that give you chills?
Bette Midler said in an interview that years before she hit it big time, she often told her friends that it was her destiny to become a famous entertainer. Like Churchill, she heard her destiny calling.
Each of us are born with it. We are preordained with a certain set of skills, knowledge and know-how in order to fulfill what we came here to do. Not all of us realize or even believe in it, which is unfortunate. Even though we came here to achieve a certain mission, some of us may miss the mark and never get there because we were too preoccupied to stop, think and seek it out. Others had a powerful awakening with the thought, “So that’s why I’m here!”
Photo Credit: Lenny
That’s what happened to me when I took a brief vacation from the hustle and bustle of Wall Street during the early 90’s. You can read the story here.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of taking the world stage in some way form or shape. Up to that point, I more or less struggled to find the meaning of life. The fact that I was born deaf made absolutely no sense to me. Why would anyone want that? I know I didn’t!
But the moment I was jolted out of my stupor on the beach, it became crystal clear. It was like the big bang that scattered the seeds of destiny throughout the universe. The stage was set and there was no turning back. My days on Wall Street were numbered and I knew it.
Destiny is like that. It prepares you every step of the way until it appears at your doorstep. In ”20 Ways of Looking at Life in a Different Way,” I mentioned that everything you’ve experienced in life has been in preparation for what’s to come later. In fact, you are life’s perpeptual trainee.
So what are you being prepared for? Where are you right now? What’s your destiny? What’s mine? I’m glad you asked. For yours and mine are almost identical, yet radically different.
What you and I have in common is this: To inspire, uplift and to leave a lasting impact. The method by which you achieve that depends on your unique inner blueprint.
How do you know what it contains?
Think back to when you were a child. What was it that you did that made time fly? If you can’t think back that far, ask yourself what you have an incredibly strong passion for. There has to be something you love doing. Whatever it is, that’s what you were destined to do. Your passion is the window to your soul.
As a kid, I loved imagining myself in front of an audience. I often played schoolteacher in my tiny bedroom, pretending to spout forth great knowledge to my imaginary students. I had a glorious time doing it!
The odd thing is, at least on the surface, I am probably the least likely candidate to get up on stage and use my own voice to speak. After all, I’ve been deaf since birth. How ironic, wouldn’t you agree? Destiny is like that too - it can turn the most unlikely scenario and make it real.
Something magical happens when I’m speaking to an audience. Even though I continue to experience thousands of butterflies in my stomach, sometimes to the point of not sleeping well the night before, the moment I step into the spotlight, I go into the “zone” and the words slide forth. That’s how I know I was born to do this.
Of course, we all have free will. Destiny, although preordained, is not set in stone. I could have ignored the beach incident and stayed on Wall Street. But destiny came knocking and I obeyed.
You don’t need another book, another seminar, another counselor telling you what you came here to do.
You already know it. It is inside you - waiting.
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8:39 am on November 19th, 2007 1
Ok, so which way is destiny, left or right? Just kidding! Nice post!
8:58 am on November 19th, 2007 2
Karen:
I know, isn’t that an interesting picture? And you know what the answer is?
You alreay know which way to turn.
10:40 am on November 19th, 2007 3
Ever since I was a teenager, I was confused what kind of job I wanted to do. Dad suggested engineering but I hated science; I thought about being an author but family said it is very difficult to earn a steady income; I tried a hand in accounting but did not work out, and lastly, psychology, but realized I am not a “people” person. It was not until at a community college when they announced a new major in the late 80’s: Information Processing (i.e. word processor, office clerk, etc). When I saw those words, I KNEW it was for me! Even though it wasn’t much, it IS my destiny. Ironically, prior to that, I was telling my dad how much I hated computers! Go figure.
11:44 am on November 19th, 2007 4
Nita:
What a GREAT story - thanks for sharing it with the AU community.
Sometimes events (such as the addition of a major at a college) often trigger the key to our destiny. You must have felt a certain sense of excitement when you discovered the new major - I’m glad you recognized the gift from the universe at that time. Most people would have ignored it!
Thanks for sharing.
7:55 pm on November 19th, 2007 5
Hi, Stephen,
Destiny intervened in my life in the form of a job loss several months ago–I was stunned, it was completely unexpected. However, I am now teaching in a wonderful little school out in the middle of the desert, and gleaning story after story from my adventures in the classroom for my book–thus fulfilling my destiny as a writer!
CaliforniaTeacherGuy
8:01 pm on November 19th, 2007 6
Hey there California Teacher!
Yes, I remember you told me about the job loss and how it dealt a stunning blow to you. Do you remember what I wrote back then in response? I predicted that all will work out and it did! I’m so excited for you - congratulations. I can’t wait to see your book.
10:12 am on November 20th, 2007 7
Stephen,
This is a most powerful post that drummed straight into my heart this morning. I love the concept of my “unique inner blueprint” and the quote “Destiny is like that. It prepares you every step of the way until it appears at your doorstep.” I am answering the call…I will not allow my destiny to wait any longer. Awesome!!!!!And what a great dose of encouragement for today.
You are truly standing squarely in your destiny and we are all grateful that you heeded he call.
Sharmaine
3:15 pm on November 20th, 2007 8
Sharmaine:
And I am grateful I heeded the call too! When I was composing this post, I felt as if I were doing “automatic writing” where the words just seemed to flow. I love it when that happens.
That’s right Sharmaine - your destiny is waiting for you!!
6:25 pm on November 21st, 2007 9
I just found you after interviewing Corinne Edwards, and she talks about you in my interview. Anyway, I love your take on Destiny. - I’ve been searching my whole life. In fact I love searching for purpose and meaning and destiny. I’ve spend 20 years figuring out my destiny and how to tap into our purpose… In fact, you might say it was my passion…..Figures. Now I’m teaching others how to follow their purpose and destiny…:)
6:31 pm on November 21st, 2007 10
Michelle:
What a fabulous surprise to hear that Corrine, my blogging buddy, mentioned me during an interview with you over at your blog! I got your private email about this and I want to thank you for letting me know about this.
Of course, being deaf, I’m unable to hear what she said but I’m excited all the same. Thanks for dropping by.
7:33 pm on November 21st, 2007 11
Loved the article! Keep it coming, you are so gifted and fulfilling your destiny with this blog!
http://www.JuiceofChampions.com
9:48 pm on November 21st, 2007 12
Brad:
As you can probably tell, I enjoy writing, especially when I’m in the “zone” and words have a way of flowing from the mind to the keyboard. I always feel good afterwards, knowing that it felt right to write. Hey, that sounds like a new title “Felt Right to Write.” Hmmmm…wonder what I could do with that?