Most of us grow up believing that we each have a purpose or a destiny. I also believe that to be so. Unfortunately, many blame their destiny on so many different elements of their lives. I do believe there are certain circumstances or factors that interfere or change our destiny that are beyond our control.

What I do believe however, is that the way we approach these challenges or obstacles can also alter the outlook of things. Let's take for instance the philosophy of the paths we take. We each walk down a path in life. Our paths can have many forks in them, some more than others. We may not be able to choose the path we are on but we can choose to turn right or left. What do we do when we realize we have made a wrong turn? It sounds so simple; we just turn around and go back. Sometimes that is not an option so we move forward waiting for the next fork in hopes that our next turn will lead us back on the correct path.

What do we do when we walk so far only to find an obstacle blocking the path we want to take? We could try to turn around or stop and let that obstacle hinder us from moving on. We could bravely climb over that obstacle or what if it was so easy to walk around it? There is no correct answer, except in our hearts.

The most important aspect is that we have a choice. We have the freedom to choose. We may not like the choices presented to us, but we do a have a choice. Sometimes we feel life is unfair, that no matter which path we take we are challenged with more obstacles than our neighbor.

Who can we blame? Who can we depend on? Some of us rely on our faith to help us through our difficult journeys while the rest of us are left to figure out what our faith really is. Some of us blame our neighbor for our obstacles in life while some blame God. How do we get past blaming anyone? We choose to do so. What happens to those that never get past the blame stage?

I do not have an answer. I can only hope that one day they realize that they have to make the choice to move on and to accept the good with the bad. What would life be without its ups and downs? It would not be life. Things do happen for a reason. We may not seem to understand these things now but we have to move on.

We have to continue living in hopes that we can learn from our past and that our experiences give us the will to live better lives. If not sculpt the being that we have become but perhaps reinforce the appreciation of life itself. With all hopes to find peace within our precious lives and not be a tormented soul.

Elaine Lemons is an author on a site for Creative Writing ( http://www.Writing.Com/ ). Visit her portfolio at http://www.writing.com/authors/october2002.

• What are Affirmations And How Can They Help Us?


• Afraid of Risk? Then Read This


• What You Should Know About New Year Resolutions


• Why Do We Play Dirty?


• 10 Ways to Lose Your Common Sense


• Is Self Improvement Important? – Part 1


• How To Master Communication


• See Me, Hear Me, Feel Me: The Art of Modern Communication!


• Withered


• 7 Steps to Finding your Life Purpose