Destiny is a much abused word. It’s made out to be the root cause of our success and happiness as well our ill-luck and sorrow! And if you ask me, destiny is just being used as a scapegoat these days!!!
From what I have understood, destiny comes as a package deal — with drive, determination and dedication. If you don’t have that, you’re destined to languish in mediocrity! When I look back at the first few years of my career and my life, I can see the large hand of destiny in it. At the same time, I also believe that certain choices and pure hard work have pushed me to this moment in my life.
Destiny and fate are akin to a multi-brand mall, where you are the preferred customer. Life and the universe are constantly presenting you with opportunities and options, but they leave it to you to decide what ultimately works for you.
There is a guiding principle that I live by: ‘Hard work cannot be replaced with anything.’
I was given an interesting life lesson from my parents. In my formative years, they taught me that “life will give you what you deserve… don’t look around and want what others have… that’s their destiny!” An analogy I can think of is that of a possessive boyfriend. He will do a lot for you but hates it when you look around at other guys and make comparisons! It’s a good thing I learnt it before I entered the film world; or else, I would have been a train wreck!
{{/usCountry}}I was given an interesting life lesson from my parents. In my formative years, they taught me that “life will give you what you deserve… don’t look around and want what others have… that’s their destiny!” An analogy I can think of is that of a possessive boyfriend. He will do a lot for you but hates it when you look around at other guys and make comparisons! It’s a good thing I learnt it before I entered the film world; or else, I would have been a train wreck!
{{/usCountry}}I believe that someone up there is looking out for me. How else would a gum-chewing, fun-loving 16-year-old tomboy turn into a sari-clad, poised Miss World within a year?
I truly believe that I am destiny’s child and I leave it up to him to lead me through this journey called life. It’s more fun that way — not knowing, yet believing that it’s all for a reason!
All of this is symbolic of harmonies within the universe. Nothing is individual, but is more a symphony of many things blending together. Nothing you do is restricted to yourself. It will either blend with or disrupt the world!!
If you don’t have certainty, spend some time with yourself and figure it out. I know far too many people who keep putting off that discussion with themselves, languishing unhappily and using destiny as an excuse — “It’s my fate!”
As I sign off, reflect on these words from Omar Khayyam’s The Rubaiyat:
Why ponder thus the future to foresee / And jade thy brain to vain perplexity?/Cast off thy care, leave Allah’s plans to him / He formed them all without consulting thee