The difference between Fate and Destiny

As a young soldier I have not accomplished enough to be able to make the claim that I am truly a soldier. That said in my short time I have heard a story that motivates me to question the universe that surrounds me. They call it “The bullets of fate”. A tale like no other is one of the ways I have heard it described. Maybe that is accurate but the story’s unique nature is not what interests me. Instead it is the content that forces me to ponder both fate and destiny. Are they the same? Is there a difference? If there is what is it?

The Bullets Of Fate

Some say that every bullet ever manufactured has a predefined destination. They say that whether it is a tree, a wall, a car, a rock or a person there may very well be a bullet out there with your name on it. So for each of us in our line of work there is likely a bullet somewhere in the world with our name on it. We spend every day making sure that we never meet that bullet but you see that is not how the story goes. You can’t avoid your bullet nor can you ignore it. Destiny, some might say but other prefer to call it fate.

Destiny or Fate?

Destiny and fate are defined as the exact same thing in most publications, in fact you would be hard pressed to find even a single definition of destiny without finding the word fate in the description, yet I believe there is a distinct difference. In my mind fate is a final destination or outcome that can not be changed or influenced. However, I believe we make our own destiny.

So at this point I am arguing semantics if you can call this an argument and yet I can’t shake the idea that there is a distinct difference. Fate as a final destination makes sense to me but I have long believed that destiny is yours to define. After some thought I am left wondering about the choices I have made and will make. Is everything predetermined or are we free to make our mistakes, or maybe mistakes are part of the cosmic plan? I don’t pretend to know if there is a bullet with my name on it or if my choices have already been made for me but I do believe that I can effect the universe around me.

I believe we make our own destiny. I believe that if your will is strong enough, your spirit indomitable and your dreams bold enough then you are free to define your own destiny. I make my own destiny.

So what do you believe? Fate or Destiny?