Do You Believe in Destiny?
George McFly knew that Lorraine was his density -- I mean, DESTINY. [That’s from Back to the Future, for those of you who missed out on this memorable scene from one of my favorite 80s films.] Who doesn't love a man who knows what he wants? It's a rarity, especially in today's world.
Ahhh, destiny...
I sometimes ask people, including the celebs I interview, if they believe in fate or destiny as it’s a topic of discussion that fascinates me.
Catherine Zeta-Jones told me she believes in destiny, particularly when it comes to her husband, Michael Douglas. She believes that the two of them, who met at the 1998 Deauville Film Festival in France, were destined to be together.
“I do believe in destiny. I probably would’ve met him at some film festival in my life, y’know? Look, all the odds seemed to be against us. Ugh, it will never last [all the naysayers said]. Well, it did,” says Catherine with a smile.
The question about whether destiny exists and if you can escape your destiny has been pondered for a very, very long time. Look at the Final Destination movie franchise --you can’t run from your fate, ’cause it will find you (said in Isla Fisher’s stalker voice in Wedding Crashers). Not the best or least scary example, but you catch my drift.
Merriam-Webster defines destiny and fate as follows:
Destiny: 1. something to which a person or thing is destined 2. a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency
Fate: the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do: DESTINY
So, what do I believe? I believe that there are certain things that occur in our lives that we just can’t explain, so we chalk it up to “destiny.” I’ve decided that even if you accidentally miss the opportunities meant for you, your life will automatically reroute, like a GPS, as many times as needed and get you to your fated destination eventually.
Here’s an interesting story:
So this guy and girl meet when they’re 19 and 18 years old, respectively. Guy wants to date girl. Girl wants them to be just friends. Nothing happens. They go their separate ways. Live their lives and lose contact. A few years later, Guy reaches out to Girl on Facebook. However, she’s not too responsive, so again, nothing happens.
Another couple of years pass, Guy friend requests Girl on Facebook, follows her on Instagram, but doesn’t initiate contact. A couple of weeks later, Girl notices Guy's profile and thinks: Why haven’t I ever dated Guy? So, she slides into his DMs. Guy makes his move --complete heart-on-his-sleeve, Nicholas Sparks-style. He claims she’s always been “the one.” Guy and Girl realize they’re incredibly compatible. Today, Guy and Girl are together and completely in love.
Was this always their destiny? Did he know something she didn’t know way back then? (P.S. That's my current love story.)
Just goes to show that even if you keep missing the signs and opportunities, what’s meant for you will always find its way.
What are your thoughts on destiny?
