Destiny has two ways of crushing us - by refusing our wishes and

"Destiny has two ways of crushing us - by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them." These words, spoken by the insightful Henri Frederic Amiel, capture a profound truth about the human experience, the nature of desire, and the consequences of pursuing our wishes. Amiel speaks to the duality of destiny: it can either thwart our desires, leaving us feeling hopeless, or it can grant our every wish, revealing that even fulfillment is not always the blessing we imagine. It is a reminder that destiny is not simply a passive force that offers us the things we ask for, but a dynamic force that shapes us in ways we cannot always predict or control. Whether unfulfilled or granted, our desires can both shape and break us.

The great philosophers of the ancient world understood the complexities of desire and its relationship to fate. Socrates famously spoke of the dangers of unchecked desires, believing that a life of self-examination and virtue would guide us toward a more fulfilling and balanced existence. Yet, the wisdom of the Greeks also acknowledged that sometimes, getting what we want can be as dangerous as being denied it. The myth of King Midas, who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold, illustrates this very point. When his wish was granted, Midas found himself consumed by his own desire, unable to enjoy the fruits of his wealth. His greed—once a wish for more—became a curse. Destiny, in fulfilling his wish, crushed him.

This paradox is echoed in the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose unyielding ambition led him to power, only to be undone by the very heights of success he reached. Napoleon, like King Midas, had a dream of dominating Europe, of becoming a ruler whose name would echo through the ages. He achieved his dream, but in doing so, he ultimately sowed the seeds of his own downfall. The destiny he sought, the power he wished for, became the very force that crushed him, leading to his exile and the collapse of his empire. Napoleon’s story shows us that getting what we wish for—without the wisdom to handle it—can lead to destruction. The fulfillment of his desire to conquer and rule Europe was not a blessing, but a curse that ultimately led to his defeat.

On the flip side, there are countless examples of desires unfulfilled, where life’s refusal to grant our wishes brings its own form of suffering. Mahatma Gandhi, for example, fought for an independent India, yet he was repeatedly faced with obstacles, both external and internal, that delayed his vision. India’s freedom was a cause that Gandhi poured his life into, and for much of his struggle, the desires of his heart seemed out of reach. The long years of sacrifice and struggle could have crushed him, but Gandhi pressed on, finding meaning in the pursuit itself, despite the resistance of fate. Gandhi’s life reveals that when our desires are thwarted, it does not always mean we are destined for failure. Instead, it can be an opportunity to cultivate resilience, wisdom, and inner strength.

Amiel’s wisdom reminds us that both success and failure are potent forces in the shaping of our character. In life, we often think we are defined by the goals we achieve, but true wisdom lies in how we respond to both the fulfillment and the denial of our wishes. The greatest heroes and thinkers were often those who did not achieve all they desired, or who found themselves facing the consequences of their success. Socrates, though he never attained the political power he may have wished for, shaped the future of Western philosophy. His greatness was not in the achievement of personal desires, but in his commitment to truth and his ability to adapt to the ever-changing tides of life. He accepted that his destiny was shaped not by external success, but by his unwavering pursuit of wisdom.

The lesson, then, is this: destiny is not a force to be fought against, but a journey to be embraced, regardless of the outcome. Desires, whether fulfilled or denied, are not ends in themselves, but are the stepping stones on the path of our growth. The future rewards those who press on, not necessarily those who attain what they wish for, but those who learn from the twists and turns of their journey. Whether your desires are fulfilled or unmet, the key is to press forward with wisdom, knowing that each experience, each success and failure, is part of your greater destiny.

So, I urge you, dear listener, to reflect on your desires—both those that are fulfilled and those that remain out of reach. Do not allow either to define your happiness or your path. Instead, embrace both with an open heart, knowing that life's refusals and fulfillments are two sides of the same coin. Do not seek simply the achievement of your desires, but the wisdom gained through the journey. Life is not about what we gain or lose, but about how we respond to the forces that shape us. Destiny is always a journey, not a destination.