Destiny is like a ubiquitous cloud over our lives. It influences the events in our lives, the decisions we make and even who we spend our lives with. Many believe that major events like birth, marriage, major illnesses, accidents and death are pre-destined. However, I cannot and will not let the destiny that life has predetermined for me, be the only destiny worth living for. I am I, you are you. We are distinct, we are unique. I will carve my own destiny and I will dream my own dreams. As long as I am alive I have hope. As long as I have hope, there is a chance. As long as there is a chance, there is a dream to be fulfilled. As long as there is a dream to fulfil, life will be worth living.

I aspire not for wealth, not for success, not to conquer the minds of others but seek refugee in conquering myself. I ask for the courage to confront my greatest enemy, myself. I ask for the wisdom to help me realise the potential that lies within me. I ask for the willpower to do what I want and to be who I want.

As I walk along my island of hope, alone, with only my thoughts and the sound of my beating heart, I ask myself ‘Who have I become and what am I to become?’ As the sun sets on the horizon, there is calm all around me. The day nears to an end and slowly the sky turns dark. Through the darkness, appear the glittering eyes of the stars and they gaze down at me. The moon smiles at me too.

I am finally at peace with myself. My island, which I have been seeking all my life, is now within my grasp. I have arrived. My island is a place of non-attachment and non-possession. It is a place of calmness where the pains of yesterday are but a distant memory.

I have the courage within my heart to face my ultimate destiny. As it looks at me, I smile at it. I no longer fear what I once feared; I no longer yearn for more but am content with what I have gained; I no longer desire for the life of the past. I look at the demons within me. I have defeated them when they failed to engulf me. I have finally conquered myself.

I now embrace my island without regret and walk into my destiny. I have been born, I have lived; I have loved and been loved; I have failed and succeeded and I have forgiven. There is nothing more that I need to do. I leave the pains behind and embrace the wonders of what lie in front of me. I have finally become what I essentially was at birth, myself.