Image via Wordle

Okay, this will be part of my definitive series of articles on Destiny.

In my earlier blog I asked the question, What if it’s not in your destiny to be wealthy?

Now, notice how destiny is related to the word destination?

destinatio -onis f. [fixing , determining, appointment].

destino -are [to make fast , fix down; to fix, determine, settle, appoint]; with infin., [to resolve to do]; of persons, [to appoint] to an office; of things, [to fix upon, intend to buy]. Hence partic. destinatus -a -um, [fixed, determined]; n. as subst., [an objective or intention]; ‘(ex) destinato’, [intentionally].

(Source http://archives.nd.edu/latgramm.htm – University of Notre Dame Latin Dictionary & Grammar Aid)

When I read tarot cards for others, I saw very clear destinies for my clients. But I would ALWAYS stress to them that this is NOT written in stone. The cards simply revealed where their current momentum was taking them, but if they were to put in some effort and determination, the course could be altered.

We have various sayings that recognise the truth in this.

“If you’re going to do what you’ve always done, then you’re going to get what you always have”.

And, in psychology, “The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour”.

You see, we tend to get locked into patterns of thought, feeling and behaviour. Those patterns carry us forward, if allowed to, so it’s very easy to determine your most likely outcomes. Or, if you prefer, your destiny.

FACT: Scientists have confirmed the existence of at least 11 dimensions – maybe up to 21.
FACT: Scientists believe in parallel or alternative universes.

Google the term “String Theory” to find out more, if you want to learn more. Or see what Youtube offers.

So what I’m saying is that there ARE different endings you can guide your life to.  Even different paths you can take, and different NOWS you can live.

That is the power of your FREE WILL.  If you’re feeling like you’re being swept along the freeway of life, you can decide which exit to take, and find your own roads to travel.

The choice IS yours.

Image via Wordle

I have spoken with hundreds, if not thousands of people in my personal and professional career, about their hopes and dreams and fears. It has given me a lot of insight into how people approach their life, and their sense of control over their own destiny.  I created the following categorisations to help explain the differences in outlook.

Level 1 Destiny

Imagine your life is like a boat on an ocean, being tossed around by the waves and the winds. Sometimes things are smooth, sometimes things are scary.

You go to see a clairvoyant to see what the future holds, because you feel like you have very little control over where life takes you. You hope for the best, but fear for the worst. Your life tends to look like it belongs in a soap opera because there is just so much drama.

You do not feel as if you have any control over your own destiny, and are very vulnerable to superstitions and being controlled by anyone who suggests they can influence the guaranteed positive outcome of your life.

What is the destiny of a Level 1 traveller, you ask? Is it their potential or their actual circumstances they feel themselves to be trapped by?

Level 2 Destiny

The next level is more pro-active. You become aware of a destination you would like to arrive at, and you decide to invest in learning advanced navigation skills, so that you can take better control over the journey.

You learn what you need to learn, you take courses in success, motivation and goal setting.

You also go to a clairvoyant to get confirmation that you are on course for your desires.

You at least feel like you’re giving yourself a fighting chance to guarantee a happy ending.

Level 3 Destiny

You are now a master traveller. You recognise there are hidden currents guiding your journey, not just the obvious ones like the waves and the winds.

You learn about these unseen forces that impact on your life, and like a master navigator, you learn to chart your course away from turmoil, conflict and upheaval, so that your journey is as smooth sailing as possible. You look forward to challenges simply to improve your own mastery.

You may also go to a clairvoyant to discover further hidden forces that you may not have been aware of, that may still derail you. These hidden forces could also be from your own subconscious mind, in the form of unresolved issues, or vulnerabilities in your character.

For you, the pleasure of life is not so much in arriving anywhere, as it is in the fun of getting there.

Level 4 Destiny.

On the surface, you look like a Destiny 1 traveller, being pushed around by the winds and the waves. But your personal philosophy is much more highly evolved. You have abandoned your will, and allow yourself to be used by the Universe to be where you are needed. You certainly do not have the same sense of fear experienced by level 1 travellers.

There are very few travellers at this level – but people like Gandhi come to mind.

Now, for many of us, especially those who have reached this blog, we tend to fluctuate between different levels of awareness. From my experience, I can confidently say that the vast majority of our culture is stuck at level 1.

Image via Wordles

I’m writing this post as a response to a colleague asking for a site critique. Now, I just see SO many online examples of kind people trying to do good things by sharing their knowledge with others in the general self improvement category, and it is a delicate manoeuvre to keep the flame of passion alive while offering suggestions to empower the site’s effectiveness.

People are obviously excited by their own insights and learning on how to prevent pain and anguish, and have a strong drive to help others avoid suffering, and to provide shortcuts to helpful wisdom. They are motivated by the highest of intentions.

This is fine, however, if you are coming from a philanthropic position. But, if, like the rest of us, you are also excited by the prospect of earning an income from your online endeavours, you really, really need to build up some marketing skills. Or partner with someone who has strong marketing skills.

People are NOT going to keep coming back to your site simply because you are a nice person.

Your site absolutely has to answer the “What’s in it for me” question.

• Why should your reader keep coming back for more?
• What slant are you taking that is different to thousands of other similar sites?
• What’s different about YOUR site?
• What are you an expert or a specialist in? (formal or informal – doesn’t matter).

Often, the answer lies in your own personal story. What particular struggles did you endure and conquer? Do you have a powerful message for a particular age group? Or for people with certain health issues? Or find themselves in troublesome family situations?

Who is like you? Who is going through similar trials and tribulations to what you went through?

Who are you EXCITED to work with? Who would you choose to help, even if you had all the money in the world?

The more you can NARROW down the group who is eager to hear your message, the more powerful – and profitable – your site will be.

Another quick word of advice is that self improvement is a very personal niche, so don’t write as if you were addressing a group of corporate employees.  Write as if you were talking intimately with someone in distress and pain.  Let your warm, caring personality shine through.

Don’t expect to be everything to everyone. But do aim to be something to someone.

Please feel welcome to add your comments.  What advice would YOU have to some sites that you come across?