“One word derivative of ‘fate’ is ‘fatality’, another ‘fatalism’. Fate implies no choice, and ends fatally, with a death. Fate is an outcome determined by an outside agency acting upon a person or entity; but with destiny the entity is participating in achieving an outcome that is directly related to itself. Participation happens willfully.” (wikipedia.com)

I don’t believe in some cosmic fatalism, a type of pre-determined end that one must march towards with inevitability. However, I do think that there is an inherent order to the universe that extends down to, and permeates the soul of, man. Call this principle whatever you like– karma, kismet, or cause and effect. But actions and events lead to other actions and events that flow logically from one to the next. Life is not a series of jumbled, senseless activities, though it may seem so at times.

Many spend their lives bemoaning their fate: I don’t know why I’m here, I don’t know why these things always happen to me, I don’t know why I can’t seem to get where I want to get. Fatalists approach life in a passive sense, thinking they are merely a chess piece being acted upon by the laws of the universe.

A select few choose to spend their lives focusing instead on their destiny: this is where I plan to go, these are the things I am going to do, and this is how I am going to get there. Why? Because that is what is meant to be, that is what should happen, and I have to make it happen. The destiny-thinker lives an active life, participating willfully in creating the events of the universe, rather than merely taking up space.

The fatalist views life like a moving walkway, similar to those found at an airport, that marches him toward some un-chosen, un-seeable end. He doesn’t take the steps, but his body– his life– continues to be marched forward, with or without his permission, with or without his will. There is no concept of what is waiting at the end of the moving walkway: there is no reason for being there in the first place. All the fatalist knows is that it continues to move, for whatever reason.

The destiny-seeker, by contrast, views life as a series of steps, a staircase leading to a summit, with an end-goal to be achieved. That end-goal then becomes a beginner step, in and of itself, towards the next greater end-goal. The universe is not going to knock on your door and present you with your purpose; you have to create your own purpose through a series of self-chosen and self-defined goals, all serving the greater purpose of enjoying your time here on this planet. The destiny-seeker knows this, and accepts this all the way down to his core, and plays according to the rules. He knows his choice is between a mindless escalator treading away into darkness, or the slightly-more-difficult but far-more-satisfying staircase leading towards the sky.

Not all of the factors influencing one’s life and one’s path are up to the individual. In the grand scheme of things, if you were to count all of the variables that influenced you and brought you to your current station in life, you would realize the vast majority were outside of your control. We are all born with certain talents, certain natural proclivities, and certain limitations. Furthermore, we are all born into a certain context, a certain social or political or economic position, which, again, is outside of our control. The fatalist dwells on the things that they are not good at, wishing it was otherwise. The destiny-seeker, by contrast, pays attention to what he or she is good at, what he or she was born with and not without, and exploits those talents and refines them, creating a natural demand in the marketplace of talent.

Some individuals are born with a calling so strong, a destiny that imbues every fiber of their being so thoroughly, that there is no deterring them from achieving their goal no matter what impediments stand before them. It’s as if their life is a symphony consisting of harmonious movements that tie together, slowly building piece by piece towards a glorious climax, an end-goal, a top-of-the-summit moment that will explode in joy and heat and passion. And when it happens, it sends shivers down our spine, because it reminds us that there is a logic to the universe, and we are active players in that ordered cosmos. There is no fate marching us towards our end. There is, however, a destiny for all of us– if you choose to climb those stairs.

-David A. Johnston