When I was young, I didn't understand what destiny was...
And even recently, when I became an old fart, destiny seemed like an overused, antiquated word...until I really began to think about it. I never really thought that destiny would ever apply to me. But now, when life seems to take swings at most folks in odd ways and at odd times, I realize that destiny indeed has its way with most of us.
I always used to believe that we choose our own path in life, but as my life passes slowly from the past into the future, I realize that I am a creature ruled by a destiny that I never decided on.
Exactly what is destiny? Well, Wikipedia (tm) states: Destiny or fate is a predetermined course of
events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in
general or of an individual.
Okay...my destiny is to live until I die. Simple enough. Destiny at work. But do I have to live the way somebody else determines, or do I live to the best of my ability and change what I can in my life? I know for a fact that my life has touched and perhaps changed the lives of over one million people. A bit grandiose, you say? Not. I worked for many years, and during my work years, I helped people. I met and spoke with over 500,000 real people. I helped each and every one of those people. Something that I did in the course of each day of my life helped people...changed attitudes...helped people adjust to some hardship. I helped them get on with life after a great loss. I helped them recover something they had lost. I spoke to people who came to me in anger and fear, and sent them away with hope and smiles.
I fixed problems. I found out what went wrong and took care of the problems. I smiled despite that person's initial anger or frustration, and helped them. I never allowed someone else's fury or fear affect my ability to help them. I did a good job. I did what I was paid to do...and far more. My employers told me constantly to take less time and not fix problems so well. So I simply fixed them faster. But I still fixed them well.
Then I retired. But I still wanted to help people and make life better. So I decided to publish some of the books that I had written. Books that made people laugh, smile, and believe in love again. Maybe I wasn't fixing major life problems, but I was fixing little ones...creating worlds and places where people could walk in, sit down, and enjoy a hot romance or a sweet love story. I genuinely have never reached the NYT or USAT best seller lists...but enough people have read my books that I know I am still reaching them. And if you count in all the pirates who got my books for free, I have reached far more. LOL!
How many people have you touched in your life? Well, let me tell you. You have touched the doorman you smiled at. You have touched the lonely old lady you laughed with. You have touched the child you helped off the sidewalk when he crashed his trike or bike. You have touched the people who came to you for help, and you sent them on their way with hope and a smile. Start counting. Your destiny is to live until you die...but your avocation should be helping people every day...giving something to them that no one else can. Part of your spirit and a smile.
Much love...
Fran Lee
Awww, what a great post. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI'm more than certain that most of us never realize how very many people's lives we touch and affect. If you smile at an upset woman in the checkout line and make her smile, she in turn smiles and carries it forward to another irate person. Your books do that, Amber. Thanks love.
ReplyDeleteFran Lee (tm)
I would tell my children to wake up with a smile (not that easy for a teenager) and to always smile when you're on the phone. Your mood touches everyone you pass and a smile is contagious. Loved your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Lynda
What a heart-warming post, Fran. So true how much a simple smile can change so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LKF. Your children will learn from you...they will carry the things you believe and teach forward in their lives...hence, you are touching even more lives. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLia, dear, every time you write something memorable or romantic, you are touching the lives of women and men who love to read. Your smiles are in your books, as well as in the way people perceive you. Keep up the fine example.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is true. Every day, each of us has a dozen opportunities to affect someone's life, which in turn, can have an affect on other people's lives. The effects of your interactions can cause more good things to happen or the reverse. The same is true with writing... the stories you put on paper can actually influence lives, and those influences can have rippling effects. So do good. Write well. Think beyond yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe world would be a better place if everyone realized what a smile was capable of producing. You are a lovely inspiration, my friend:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! And true...we will never know all the people we have touched during our lives.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Fran, one of your best. There's a lot here to think about.
ReplyDeleteXXOO Kat
Aw, thanks, all of you wonderful sweethearts. I have been a bit introspective lately, and was thinking about this for some time.
ReplyDeleteI had someone e-mail to ask me how I figured the numbers. Well...I interviewed between 40 and 75 people every day, face-to-face and on the phone. Average that to 57 people a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year for over 31 years. Then figure the people those people affected after leaving my desk. I worked at least ten other public service jobs before that one. Then factor in the people who I smiled and spoke with in the store...on the street...children I helped to understand things that had simply slipped past others, and bingo...at least one million.
Aw, thanks, all of you wonderful sweethearts. I have been a bit introspective lately, and was thinking about this for some time.
ReplyDeleteI had someone e-mail to ask me how I figured the numbers. Well...I interviewed between 40 and 75 people every day, face-to-face and on the phone. Average that to 57 people a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year for over 31 years. Then figure the people those people affected after leaving my desk. I worked at least ten other public service jobs before that one. Then factor in the people who I smiled and spoke with in the store...on the street...children I helped to understand things that had simply slipped past others, and bingo...at least one million.