“Destiny is not a 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.”

– William Jennings Bryan

 Destiny is often misunderstood.  It holds a mystery to it, like a power you cannot fight.  It is a force that sucks you in and there is little you can do about it.  That is not truly what destiny is.  I believe we all have a destiny to fulfill that is given to us by God.  A life’s purpose that we were created to do.  But I also believe in free will and that we have a choice as to where our life will lead us.

 BELIEVE IN DESTINY

Success-Minded People believe in destiny.  We can call it purpose, a dream, a goal or whatever, but we know it is the thing we are created to do and we will never feel complete till we are doing it.  To follow our destiny however is a choice we make not something that is thrust upon us.  Reality is that many people have lived and died without fulfilling their purpose in life.  They did not take control and therefore they did not live.  As Jack Welch, former CEO of GE said, “Control your destiny or someone else will.”

A BURNING FIRE

As a Success-Minded Person you know what you are here to do.  You feel the fire burning in your soul and you cannot escape it.  You want this enough that you will do what you must to achieve it.  Success-Minded People know that just because they know their destiny does not mean they will fulfill it automatically.  You have to work at it.  Your attitude toward your dream must be like that of Hannibal, “We will either find a way or make one.”

 HAVE COURAGE

Destiny demands that we make a choice to follow it or to allow others to lead us.  It takes courage and determination to achieve your destiny in life.  That is why you must hold the mindset of a Success-Minded Person.  As author and English clergyman Sydney Smith said, “A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage.”

 VICTORY

Do not think that you are under the control of some other person or government or church.  You are given a dream because God intended for you to fulfill it.  He is aware of the limits you see and expects you to fight for your destiny.  “Victory is always possible,” wrote Napoleon Hill, “for the person who refuses to stop fighting.”

Keep working and doing what you know you must to achieve the dream.  Victory will be yours if you stay the course and fix your eyes and heart on the goal.  It is your destiny!

 © 2011 John Patrick Hickey