Depending upon your age, you may or may not have thought about your destiny.  Destiny is that event or series of events that will shape your future.  So, do you know what you will be doing or thinking or involved in or with or whatever next year or 5 years from now?  Some might confuse destiny with legacy.  Destiny is what lies ahead, while legacy is what you leave behind.

Is it possible to shape your own destiny?  Certainly, there are things in the future that are beyond your control.  You may not be able to control the direction our company may take.  You may not be able to make choices for your family members.  But, we all do have some actions we can take to shape our attitude, our morale, our approach, our behavior, and, essentially, how we live.  Gandhi has some thoughts about how we can start with our thoughts to modify or alter our ultimate destiny:

Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words;

Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior;

Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits;

Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values;

Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.

                                                 –  Mahatma Gandhi –  

Gandhi believed that a progression exists that leads from our thoughts to behavior to habits to values, then, ultimately, to our destiny.  I believe that establishing solid values is critical to a positive destiny.  Values are those items that you will never compromise, no matter what circumstances might arise.  For example, an individual with a value of integrity would never cross that line for money.  However, an individual that values wealth over all else would have no problem acting without integrity to advance his/her wealth.  Established values direct what you will do, say, or how you will act in any situation.  Thus, they can help define your destiny.

So, the question for today… Not knowing what the future holds, can you still choose your destiny?  Can you direct your life in a way the shapes your very future?  I’ll just leave that for you to ponder.

Have a fantastic day!