Steering Your Destiny

Do you ever feel as though you are drifting aimlessly with no direction? Or maybe you have a dormant passion that needs nourishing or perhaps you want to pursue art or simply want to shake up your lifestyle. The truth is that we pigeonhole ourselves but in reality, you have choice. If you genuinely want to steer your own course, begin to adopt positive thinking that will help you achieve the destiny you desire. By incorporating a handful of simple steps, you can turn your life’s course from a boat bobbling at sea, into a ship with a clear destination.

First, cultivate the power of your mind, and its influence on your attitudes and responses regardless of the circumstances. Whatever has occurred in your past, leave it there and move on. No field has ever been plowed by looking back, keep moving forward. Understand that when you empower your mind, you empower your life. Toss those old negative stories aside and begin to walk lighter, liberated from the heaviness. Answer honestly, what do I want for my life, then start to take small steps towards that destiny. Flood your mind with empowering messages, read or listen to guided meditations harness positive thinking and tell fear to take a hike. Remember only share your dreams and desires with those that are positive and respectful. Negative people will give you destructive messages that are reflective of their interior dialogue; it doesn’t have to be yours.

Start to notice how often you say yes when you mean no? If you are constantly sidetracked by other people pulling at your heartstrings or demanding your time, you will become tired and frustrated. Be wary of putting your destiny and dreams on the back burner, it can become a habit. You have the right to your future, no matter your age, social status, or immediate circumstance. Honor your life goals; no one will do it for you. Your friends and family will adjust and if they don’t that is their issue, not yours. Create boundaries and limits on your time, have a say in your life. If your partner complains because you no longer cook dinner every night or your kid’s whine because you are studying for a degree, or whatever the obstacle is, stick to your plan, it will come to fruition, and you will become a positive example for those around you.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are our greatest teachers. Ignore those that point fingers from their safe and boring havens, succeeding requires trial and error. Everyone from Maya Angelou to Einstein relied on trying out different ways of looking at things. Remember failure is relative, often it provides invaluable insight, it is all part of the process. If you look at a graph of any person who has navigated their destiny, there is never a straight trajectory. Rather there are wiggly lines that head towards the top then dip, then head back up, then drop. It’s the journey, embrace it.

Be mindful of how much time you waste. People today often feel as if they are running out of time, when the truth is, it’s how you spend your time. If you cruise Facebook mindlessly for hours each day or other social media (and it’s not for your work), curtail it. Try substituting an activity that will enlighten your mind, incorporate exercise into your life, keep your body healthy. Establish a practice of daily stillness, quiet time to decompress to help you come back to balance. Use your energies wisely. Perhaps turn off the tube, have a conversation with a friend, read a book that inspires or interests you. Knowledge liberates.

Rather than lamenting about the past, get on with your future. Forget about what you could have or should have done, wasting time thinking about missed opportunities renders nothing but a headache or worse negative feelings about yourself that are crippling. Remember the adage, hindsight is 20/20. Be grateful and keep putting one foot in front of the other, one goal at a time. If you want to be an entrepreneur, a singer, or own a bed and breakfast on the coast of Italy, forget about what you did or didn’t do, instead learn Italian, practice what it takes to become what you imagine. Never let age, circumstance, or others keep you from pursuing your destiny.

Ask for help when you need it.

Human beings are herd animals, we are not meant to live solo, it’s essential to accept kindness or a helping hand when it is offered. Being stubborn and arrogant won’t get you far. Look for mentors along the way, learn from them, ask questions, how did they overcome or rise above. Remember, your road will look different, but the skills that you have honed from experience or observation will serve you when you least suspect it. Have meaningful conversation with others, develop your communication skills, when you can communicate with others you will develop sincere friendships along the way. Learn to listen.

Cultivate a practice in accepting what you cannot change. There are things in life that you cannot control, like the weather or other people’s reactions. Choose happiness, foster empathy, and compassion. Your destiny requires being part of the greater whole. Befriend those people who challenge and encourage you to take risks to strive for your highest potential, then take those reigns and gallop towards the life you want. Embrace your unique destiny. Remember your journey is part of the process, it may alter what your destiny looks like, but that’s alright, it’s a beautiful blend of your unique passion, fate, and the ever-evolving universe.