"Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." - William Jennings Bryan

All the Greats of this world had a sense of destiny. They believed that they were placed on Planet Earth for the express purpose of accomplishing a special mission. That is probably why they were motivated to accomplish everything that they did.

We are often tempted to think that they were lucky to have been awarded the gift of a manifest destiny at birth. We may even wonder why were they given that privilege and not us? If the truth were told, having a sense of destiny is a personal belief and not a given characteristic.

No one is born with a predestined life's path or specific life's mission - also called destiny. That is something that is either freely chosen or left to chance. For many, it is left to chance because of a poor self-image or through ignorance of the fact that the option is available.

A sense of destiny is available for anyone ready to stand up and claim his birthright. Each and everyone have a place and a role to play in the grand scheme of the Universe. Finding that mission is our own responsibility. Waiting for the celestial voice of thunder to tell us what it is is futile. It never was and never will be done that way.

It takes courage, determination and a keen sense of responsibility to stand up and say, "This is what I stand for. This is what I was destined to do and this is what I will accomplish." Not an easy feat but it's an essential step for a life of commitment and accomplishment.

Once invested with a true sense of destiny, the feeling of being larger than life is automatically created. The person becomes elevated above most of life's petty considerations. Instead of carrying the burden of accomplishment, that person is being propelled by the dynamics of the cause the he represents.

Opting for a life's mission and a sense of destiny is not a sign of megalomania. It's a testimonial to the grandeur of man. It is recognizing the fact that we were given almost limitless possibilities and that all that is needed to turn that potential into realizations is work, courage and commitment.

For the greater part, we create our own reality and define most of the part that we'll play in it. Some will choose a dominant role; others might settle for survival. As we take responsibility for the decision, we must assume the consequences.

When choosing a life's mission and want to use it as a self-motivating force it must be kept in mind that it has to be about contribution. Self-centered goals and objectives will only offer a limited impetus that will only go so far. A sense of destiny requires the imprint of nobility. Something that cannot be found by pursuing a selfish motive.

The level of our life's performance is determined largely by small distinctions that we make along the way. One of those important distinctions is the way we see ourselves and the role that we intend to play in the affairs of man.

By choosing the high road, or the road of self-anointed destiny, we set ourselves on the path of high achievement, nobility and greatest possible satisfaction. We have but one life to live. May as well make it the great and glorious epic that it was meant to be.

Dr. Raymond Comeau aka Shamou is the Author of ShamouBlog and Owner Administrator of Personal Development for Personal Success Forums http://www.shamoublog.com/forum/index.php.