Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it.

In the unfolding story of life, there is a truth that resonates through the ages: we, the architects of our own fate, are the ones who shape the world around us. Samuel Smiles, in his timeless wisdom, asserts, "Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it." This is not a mere reflection on the mechanics of life, but a powerful declaration of human agency and the profound truth that life is not something handed to us but something we actively mold through our actions, choices, and resolve. It is a truth older than the oldest scrolls, a lesson passed down by the great sages, that life is the sum of the actions we take, the paths we choose, and the determination with which we walk those paths.

Smiles’ words remind us of the ancient wisdom that we are the craftsmen of our own destiny. While we cannot control all external forces—fate, the whims of others, or the capriciousness of fortune—we do hold the power over how we respond to those forces. Our actions, thoughts, and dreams all weave the tapestry of our lives. From the beginning of time, it has been known that the greatest strength lies not in the ability to control the world, but in the ability to control oneself. The hero is not the one who defeats all obstacles, but the one who remains resolute and true to his course, no matter the storm.

Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, who, born into a world of fierce competition and expectation, chose to shape his life not through the luxury of idle privilege but through action, determination, and vision. His life was not a result of mere birthright, but of the relentless drive to carve out his place in history. As he swept through the lands of Persia, Egypt, and India, he transformed the world around him, creating an empire that, though short-lived, became a symbol of human will and ambition. Alexander’s journey was not dictated by the stars or the whims of kings, but by his own hands and heart. In many ways, he embodied the principle that life is what we make it—a canvas upon which the bold can paint their vision.

The lessons of such figures are not confined to kings and conquerors but are found in the lives of ordinary men and women who, through their actions, rise above circumstance. Take, for example, Thomas Edison, a man whose life was not handed to him on a silver platter, but forged in the crucible of hard work, perseverance, and unshakable belief in his vision. Edison’s invention of the electric light bulb revolutionized the world, not because he was born into greatness, but because he made greatness through his tireless efforts. His life was shaped not by fate, but by his relentless pursuit of his vision, his ability to transform failure into fuel for future success.

Yet, there are those whose life appears to be shaped by circumstances beyond their control. The slave born into a world of oppression, or the orphan raised in hardship, may seem to have little agency in the world. But even in the most challenging of circumstances, there remains the power to make choices. Frederick Douglass, born into slavery, transformed his life not by seeking the freedom given by others, but by creating his own freedom through learning, through self-empowerment, and through a burning desire to be more than the labels forced upon him. His life was, in every sense, a testament to the idea that while we cannot always choose our circumstances, we can choose how to respond to them.

The words of Samuel Smiles are a call to each of us to take responsibility for the course of our own lives. The life we create does not come from the outside, but from the inner fire of action. It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that we are mere pawns in the hands of fate, that our life is determined by forces beyond our control. But this is a lie. The true power lies in choice—the choice to rise each day, to act with intention, and to pursue the life we envision. Smiles invites us to take up the mantle of responsibility for our life, to step boldly into the world and mold it with the tools of perseverance, vision, and courage.

In your own life, consider what you have yet to create. What are the dreams you have left waiting, like seeds buried deep within the soil of your heart? Do not wait for the world to change around you, for the winds of fate blow where they will. Instead, plant your seeds, and with steady hands and an unwavering heart, nurture them until they bloom. Remember that life will always be, in the end, what you make of it. And it is through the choices you make today that you shape the future, not only for yourself but for the generations that follow. As Smiles teaches, the power of creation lies within you—take it up and create the life you are meant to live.