The Best Way for Those Who Control Destiny

Because history is revealed by a memory retelling or an archive of past events written down, any inclination and ability to learn thereof is in the imagination of our minds. History is a limitation of what has occurred because it lives in the past. But does it only live there? The study of history allows the past to live, still. What others experienced and/or what occurred; and, to the extent possible, what we in the present are able to apply to understanding is history’s value in present time, and future time. So then, while history’s limits in what it can reveal are in the realm of the past’s unknowns to us personally, what can still be known is not lost. That in itself has great value.

Knowing from my own past school years’ recollections reminds that I had no need, inclination or desire for the study of history, or for that matter any other required subjects needed to graduate. It is good that in spite of ourselves immaturity gives way and eventually we see the value of education. The eventuality of life’s realism jolts most of us out of adolescence into adulthood. For most of us it does not seem the best of transitions because the carefree had to give way to having to get serious or at least, more inclined; life requires it.

Understanding surely has value but it is not always pleasant revelation. For that matter, history’s secrets are seldom only good news causing feelings of exhilaration and genuine hope. And yet, things or events or outcomes can and do happen by degrees of what is good; if good can’t be the best, it is still better than worst. The best way forward is a matter of opinion but there are clues, methods and results for making the better choice.

The future is unknown? We are not totally at the mercy of future’s outcomes. Destiny is not ruled by fate unless we are powerless; for good or ill, much of the future can be determined from the knowledge we choose to apply; or, in other words, by which ways are we to go forward. It is nothing but obvious when we reflect that man has attempted or managed to chart future’s outcome throughout all of history. We know from experience and history that, people have, do and will control the future by way of interventions for destiny’s sake. However, we often feel that our life’s course and the course of events are out of our control. We feel this way because much of life’s circumstances are out of our control. When we dwell on this we realize that, at least, we are not alone; all persons struggle with life’s circumstances. By that, we know it to be true that, all men are only equal. For most, this common struggle verifies mortality; being equal is good enough; they accept life on life’s terms with the mutual goal in mind out of opportunity’s possibilities to devise our destiny and that of our children. We are able to choose our leaders with our liberty, because of our liberty. Additionally, history helps us choose wisely. I have come to know what others have also learned and I will pass it on for what it is worth, for it is worth much: The best leaders to trust in are those who are humble; they have excepted the opportunity to lead but do not lord themselves over whom they lead, for these leaders recognize they are only equal to all their fellow man. And their fellow man knows by the example of their character. For other leaders, good character is not the case.

Character develops from the characters one associates with and they to him or her. This should provide all the clues one needs to choose, for nefarious characters eventually can’t help but reveal their true colors. But initially this is not always easy to determine. Selfish desires for power whether well intentioned or not is still selfishness. These leaders portray themselves as benevolent volunteers to be of service in leading for goodness sake. Their humility is a sham, an act, a deception. The servant really only wants to master. This conceit either dupes or repulses the people. This too is having to accept life on life’s terms. The power corrupts saying by Lord Acton is one of life’s best known truisms (“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”).

Power can be denied to tyrants however and by that, the advantage is reversed; history has proclaimed this truism also. History has left us what we will learn from it. Going way back, we learn and then know of pivotable events that occurred, events that have changed the course of history. Man indeed can control destiny. What of those seldom good news stories that can give cause for hope and contentment? I join many others who have proclaimed America’s founding as a time that still lives in man’s soul; it was an achievement in history that man can glory in, even today. From man’s soul, through indwelling traits common to all who live, we know a nation’s sovereignty sought and achieved an unparalleled liberty meant ultimately for all it’s people. Our founders achieved a destiny for the future by what they sought, by the course they followed: man’s unselfish best intention for his fellow man. Is it not the same in us as it was for them that, “inalienable rights” is to be a most cherished gift, from God?

Our Constitutional Republic became a reality from the result of choosing a particular destiny. To get to that result is the journey’s story. Much of that history is well enough known by some; but also, by too few. It being far removed from us, can we help but take it for granted? What inspired our founding men and women to achieve a destiny they could not be totally sure of but nevertheless knew they must try? The challenge was not trivial, it was not short by period of time; it was not without risk of failure, without insecurity and doubt, without hardship and its consequences, without sacrifice of life.

It will be in our control if by the course of destiny set in our founding remains in us by that founding’s intent. Within man’s soul is the undeniable quest for liberty to flourish for “the pursuit of happiness.” When a society reaps liberty’s advantage, it becomes the soul of the people. It has again become necessary to choose our destiny through a united intent to reject tyranny. Our founding sacrifices gave posterity the best destiny this world has known. And by testimony of their reverent words, a destiny sanctioned by Providential blessing. Our obligation for posterity is not less. We don’t just need to imagine from history what our founders knew; we know by our common humanity what they knew. And a familiar movement gives a familiar cause the same hope.