Fate vs Destiny
Is What It Is What It Is?
You have no control over the hand that life deals you, but how you play that hand is entirely up to you. - Voltaire
Why are we here? For centuries, philosophers, thinkers, religious and spiritual leaders have explored, debated, argued over the meaning of the human journey. It doesn’t matter how smart we get technologically; it’s a mystery whose magnitude is impossible for mortals to fathom. One thing is certain as we spin through space: we all arrive on this planet with a unique set of circumstances, specific traits with no awareness and free will. No two circumstances are identical; there is no obvious blueprint for how to approach our lives. Regardless of cultural norms, societal values or religious and spiritual beliefs, some have a sense of destiny while others a more fatalistic outlook. Fate is defined as what happens to you while destiny is what you make of it. So how we view our life is highly significant when it comes to its quality.
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 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 for both good and evil. Abraham Lincoln, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr and Nelson Mandela believed it was their destiny to uplift the oppressed. This belief can be delusional with a monstrous dark side. Self-serving beliefs in racial, cultural, economic and religious superiority can exist like Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Belgian King Leopold II's rule in Congo.
Significant historical figures who succumbed to fate also shaped our world. This is where destiny and fate meet. Having a sense of destiny does not provide immunity from fate’s whims as the assassination of Lincoln and the suicide of Hitler 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 leadership skills was to understand that if the British surrendered to fatalism, they would lose the war. 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 is nothing to be done to change anything so why bother to try? Fatalism is not universal; however it is highly personal, shaped by specific worries and concerns such as health, money, safety and climate. Many young feel it’s too late to reverse climate change while older people might feel fatalistic about health.
It’s easy to feel fatalistic when you feel powerless. This is why stories of people overcoming their feelings to transcend the apparent inevitability of their circumstances are compelling. How do 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 figure it out so you don’t do anything? Perhaps you feel helpless and hopeless at the trajectory of your life and would like to change yet you strongly believe 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 in making the decisions.
No matter who you are and what your circumstance your only control is 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. When choice is not self-serving but in service of others for the greater good, you can assume that you are living your life to its highest potential. That’s a worthy destiny.
