I want to speak about destiny – you know, that strange, almost supernatural thing some people think guides us through life. Is it a reality, or is it simply delusions from a fantasy-prone mind?
I have an example of destiny in action. I remember when I was a kid – I can’t have been more than ten – and I went into a shop. I liked going into this shop, not because the shop was particularly nice, but there were some kindly elderly women behind the counter who always had a kind word for me.
This particular day they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. Without thinking I said: ‘A soldier, a writer and a dad.’ Now, I’d never given any thought to any of these things before, but it seemed so natural to say. Of course, they gave their kindly laugh, ruffled my hair and waved goodbye after my purchase.
My life was pretty much marked out for me at that time. I came from a family of newsagents so it seemed that I would be going into the family business. Infact, I did so, but soon got fed up and went off to London.
Coming back I didn’t know what to do with my life but I ended up going into the RAF. Of course, I met the girl who would be with me for life and over the years we had seven children together. And guess what, I eventually decided to be writer.
Destiny. Does it exist? Did I know, instinctively, all those years ago that I WOULD be a soldier, a writer, and most definitely a Dad? Or is destiny an inner thing, where unconsciously you realize what you want out of life, and sculpt that life to make it so?
© Anthony North, Feb 2007
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December 23, 2007 at 8:15 pm |
Oh my goodness! I’ve found here 3 more lovely blogs to read, and written by none other than a fellow-Yorkie!
This Yorkie is an ex-pat in the USA (married to a US citizen). I hunger and thirst for good non-hyper writing – I’ve found it!
As for destiny – my reply when asked as a child what I wanted most to do was “be a journalist”. They all laughed…..
Well I didn’t get to be a journalist, I got to be a civil servant (in Leeds by the way), but on retirement and moving to the US, I’m blogging (albeit about one of my interests, astrology). Blogging has to be the next best thing to “proper” journalism these days, with no boss brathing down one’s neck.
Perhaps it was destiny.
Happy Christmas and a Good New Year, 2008!
December 23, 2007 at 10:47 pm |
Hi Twilight(Ann),
We Yorkies travel far and wide. And being away from Yorkshire for many decades, I returned nearly four years ago. But I think it is always within us
As for blogging, I agree.
Many thanks for your kind words. And Merry Christmas to you.
January 10, 2008 at 1:40 am |
“destiny is a inner thing, where unconsciously you realize what you want out of life”, i agree but along with destiny we have a choice and freewill.It really depends on us if we follow the path of destiny or to make our own journey…
January 10, 2008 at 8:34 am |
Hi Rhosie,
Yes, I can agree with that. Only our free will can often be expressed unconsciously in our actions rather than consciously. When that happens, it can so easily ‘appear’ to be destiny.