As human beings, we believe that we are created with purpose. This purpose is not always clear from the start but sometimes get clearer after one chooses a career path of discovers his/her talent.
For the religious people, they believe God created us for certain purpose. This purpose is believed to be the reason behind our existence and is achieved when we submit ourselves to God's will.
In Africa, this belief is linked with God also. The Africans believe that each person was given his destiny immediately he was created. This destiny is believed to come to pass no matter how one tries.
This explains the general saying in Africa that 'destiny can only be delayed, it can't be changed'!
So they believe what a man is destined to become, he will become irrespective of the obstacles he faces in the course of trying to fulfil it.
Somehow, if evil befalls someone, Africans tie it to destiny. They seem to use it as a method of consoling the family of the victim.
You hear them say 'that must be his destiny'! Meaning we should accept what happened since we have no power to change it or even question God.
So for Africans, destiny occurs no matter what. So if someone runs mad, it is linked to what he chose before coming to this world. If one becomes successful or very famous for good reason, it is also linked to his/her destiny.
Should we accept this as our reality and let things just slide? Can it be argued that man, knowing fully well what he would face on earth still chose bad destiny? Or can it be said that we were not made to know what the world looks like to actually choose good destiny?
The second must (for the purpose of argument) be true ahead of the former. If not, how can we defend the idea that someone saw a clear picture what the world looked like and still chose to be poor when he gets here?
Or how would a woman chose barrenness having seen how we cherish babies on earth?
Or someone chose to be born into poor home knowing he could suffer malnutrition and beg for food to survive?
Or a man chose to be infertile knowing he would live his life alone if women find out?
What answer can we give to these troubling questions that seem to point to the fact that we are condemned to be successful or poor depending on what destiny we chose before coming to this world?
Should i just accept everything that comes my way and hide it under the assumption that it is my destiny and i have nothing to do about it?
I think it would be a wrong assumption. In reality, destiny is something we make for ourselves. It is not something that was predetermined in a way that we have no control over it.
Human destiny is created by them. They design how their destinies would be with their own actions, visions, aspirations and dedication to make things happen.
I cannot accept anything as destiny which i have no control over. I would rather accept as destiny that which i created and have full control over.
Whether it turns out to be bad or good, at least, i know i created the situation myself and should be proud or sad about such decision because it is mine.
What is your take on destiny? Did you choose it here or it was chosen for you?