It is Our Resilient Character, Persistence and Efforts, Not Destiny that Rules Our Life

Effort represents pursuing goals through hard work, persistence, and determination. Destiny can either align with our efforts to bring success or challenge us unexpectedly. The key is how we respond to these situations where our values and character play a pivotal role.

One common notion that I continue to hear from people is their narrative on destiny and luck. According to them, fate and luck are the ultimate drivers of any outcome. How easily do people glorify luck or destiny over our success or failure? They mostly disregard the role of efforts, character and competence over destiny.?More so, these words rule people's perception in the context of individual success or failure. These?people tend to discount everything else, be it hard work, competence or skills; for them, luck and destiny surmount all others.

I believe connecting it to luck or fate for every life outcome is a wrong misnomer. It reflects on their misconstrued?perceptions, weak character, and lack of self-conviction. Even in context to others, it is incorrect to undermine individual efforts and label those successes as gifts of destiny rather than complimenting their merits. There is no interdependence between efforts and destiny. More so, it is the character, efforts, competence, and excellence in execution that determines the outcome. ?

Specific outcomes may sometimes be impacted by unforeseen factors beyond one's control, though often, people jump to connect them to destiny. Even such developments usually attributed to destiny can be better managed by people's resilient?character, which is more relevant than shaping the outcome and undermining the good or bad luck narrative. ?

I always take exception to this common public perception of linking luck and destiny to positive or negative outcomes. Indeed, the outcome of individual efforts may not consistently deliver the desired results, as, at times, these have factors beyond self-control. Unprecedented market conditions, health exigencies, or certain other conditions sometimes impact outcomes, but terming these as unlucky or destined is uncalled for. My parents always taught me to build a character by emboldening values that can help manoeuvre my life's challenges in future moments of trials.

To explain this narrative,?let me clarify what effort and destiny?mean and how they cross paths.?Effort represents pursuing goals through hard work, persistence, and determination. It is the aspect of life over which we have the most control. It reflects our willingness to engage with challenges, overcome obstacles, and learn from failures. Consistent effort shapes skills, builds resilience, and creates opportunities for success. It also fosters a sense of responsibility and confidence.

Whereas destiny refers to the circumstances and events beyond our control, such as where we are born in what ecosystem, the people we meet, or unforeseen challenges and opportunities that might come our way; it could be a jackpot or ancestral wealth.?While destiny might seem random, it plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape in which our efforts unfold. It presents the conditions and contexts in which we operate.?Destiny can either align with our efforts to bring success or challenge us unexpectedly. The key is how we respond to these situations where our values and character play a pivotal role.

That's why character?encompasses our moral and ethical values, personality traits, and mindset. It reflects who we are at the core. Character acts as the bridge between effort and destiny. It determines how we perceive challenges, how we approach opportunities, and how we respond to setbacks.?A strong character—marked by virtues like integrity, resilience, empathy, and adaptability—enables us to navigate both the rewards of effort and the unpredictability of destiny with grace and wisdom.

????Efforts in the future shape the character: Consistent effort in facing challenges shapes qualities like discipline, perseverance, and self-belief.

????Character interprets destiny: Character determines how we interpret and respond to destiny. A resilient person might see failures as lessons, while a pessimistic person might see them as insurmountable obstacles.

????Destiny tests efforts and character: Life's unforeseen events can test the strength of our character and the effectiveness of our actions. How we adapt to these tests defines our personal growth.

Some of my key takeaways from this opinion are as follows:

1. Focus on Efforts: While destiny is beyond control, effort with persistence and determination maximises chances of success.

2. Cultivate Character: Build inner qualities like patience, honesty, and resilience to navigate life's uncertainties with clarity and strength.

3. Embrace Destiny: Accept what cannot be changed and focus on maximising the opportunities and challenges it brings.

By aligning our efforts with a strong character and embracing destiny as a controllable reality, not as a deemed event, we can effectively manage life's complexities and grow and rise above through every experience.