Destiny

"I don't believe in destiny. I believe in good pitching and good defense and timely hitting. That's destiny. You do enough of that, you create your own destiny."

-- Lou Pinella (Chicago Cubs Manager)

You have no destiny, manifest or otherwise. You are not meant for anything in particular. It has not been written in advance what you will do, what you will achieve, or if, or how, you will be remembered. It's all up to you. At least to a certain degree. You don't control the outcomes in your life, but you at least influence them by the actions that you choose to take.

As Lou points out -- do enough of the right things and the results that you desire are more likely to transpire. Rely on destiny to get you there, and you'll most likely miss the bus, even the short one.

But, contrary to popular belief, your eye should not be on the prize. It should, instead, be on the ball. Focus upon what you are doing right here, right now, rather than upon the result you wish to achieve, and, paradoxically, you are more likely to achieve that result. Focused action increases your odds of success, however you define it. Wishing, hoping and relying upon destiny has very little positive impact.

One more thing. Most athletes say they would play their chosen game for free because they love playing it so much. It's easy to hear that with a jaundiced ear, given the stratospheric salaries that many pro athletes receive these days. But think about it -- all top athletes played their game for free for many, many years before they were ever paid a nickel. The lesson is clear: Loving what you do is both its own reward and the most likely avenue to future reward, whether that reward be bucket of money or a World Series ring.

So today, go out there and do what you love. Pitch well, play some good defense, and, if the opportunity arises, make that timely hit. Get in the game and create your own destiny. Today. Now.