I have always believed that in the random order of the universe there is some force that drives the destiny of people. There are too many coincidences in peoples lives to think otherwise. People are predestined for specific things. Not everything, and most people fight their destiny. But the things that are important such as mates and professions and family... much of this is destiny. You just have to let it happen and it will.
There was a time in my life when I was very lonely and really wanting a wife and family. At that stage of my life I was also changing careers and recovering from a deep depression. Not the best time for starting a family or even a new relationship. Yet I wanted it so badly I physically ached. Speaking with someone I knew and respected, this person told me "God's not through with her yet". That seemed to strike home. It was the first time anyone took me out of the equation by telling me things I already knew. Like I am too messed up for a relationship, or that I need to straighten my own life out first. No, this person told me that my future mate wasn't ready for me yet, and I accepted that. For whatever reason, I was able to chill out after and go through my daily life without trying to start a new relationship with every woman I met. I started to become more at peace with myself and with my life. Slowly I managed to piece myself together and really improve myself in every way.
About a year after that talk, I met a woman who became attracted to me even more than I was attracted to her. This was a woman who a year ago I wouldn't dream would have any interest in me. I improved and I became attractive to women who were of a higher caliber than I was able to meet one year before. We eventually married and had two beautiful girls. I am still married today. A very lucky man. Lucky because I was able to listen and hear the advice of someone who said to let go and just be at peace with who I am for now. In other words, I allowed destiny to take its course.
When we allow destiny to take its course, we allow the natural order of things to fall into place. We are at peace with ourselves. At the risk of sounding corny, yes at peace with the natural order of the universe and with God's will. (I can't believe I am writing this, it sounds so unlike me). But, it's true.
Just as we allow our destiny to become fulfilled when we follow and practice our God given talents. I have my own views on talent, which I wrote about earlier. But I do believe that we all have been given some special talent. And it is our responsibility to use that talent in the course of our work, where we spend most of our waking time. To not do so is a waste of our resources, and a waste of the reason why each of us are put on this planet.
I love my work. I may not have loved all of my employers or jobs, but I have always loved what I do for a living. In fact, if I didn't earn a living from it, it would be a hobby. Somebody famous once wrote " Enjoy what you do for a living and you will never work a day in your life" It may have been Ben Franklin, but no matter.. another truism.
I recently changed jobs to one that better suits my skill set. I am a director, but still have a heavy hand in the production for my department. I am in a teaching position as well as leading by example, and taking a heavy hand in the direction of the firm I work for. I like my job, love my work, and as a real bonus, they really like me as an employee. This is a position that appreciates my skills, unlike that last job I had. My last job was at a huge firm, very impersonal, where they frowned on creativity. Interesting because an engineer is supposed to be creative, unless he is a lower level engineer doing nothing but calculations. I was shriveling up in that firm.
I feel as if I just got out of jail and I am free. Again, following my destiny if only in the way I landed this job.
I put in the effort by posting my resume and continuing to do as good a job as I could at the old place. Someone saw my resume as a perfect fit, called me, called some prior employers from my resume and started the process. I showed up, went to the interviews, answered the questions, went along with the process, and it just fell into place. Destiny fulfilled. At least that's the way it feels today. Things may change, and I know what to do if things do change. But for today I am at peace with myself, and I consider myself to be one lucky person. Just by going along with the flow and letting my destiny happen.