Destiny

Destiny is a funny thing. I'm not sure I believe the entire attitude that everything happens for a reason. This topic has been showing up in a lot of literature we read. King Arthur is destined to be king. Hercules is destined to perform impossible tasks. These troupes go through each and every piece of universally appreciated literature. But what about real life? Can destiny exist in a world of chance? Or is it destiny because you chose to go down a certain path. I'm sure the first step to learning what you are meant to do in the world comes with the belief you do have a destiny. But maybe it doesn't matter whether your destiny is formed for you or you form it yourself. Clearly you control your actions and your actions determine who you are. These actions are a small ingredient to the ultimate self you wish to be. In Jungian terms, the archetypes guide you to go through the process of individuation. This is why people love stories and can relate to characters' struggles and decisions. It's almost a conversation with the self to learn who you are. But Destiny is still a mystery to me. There is this notion of a self-fulfilling prophecy which governs your actions through your state of mind. Does destiny function the same way? For example, if you tell yourself that you can do something you will be able to do it. In the same manner if you tell yourself you can't do something you have set yourself up for failure. These two dilemmas of perspective and actions can cause false expectations or negative views on life. My question is how you get past that. If you want to believe in destiny, how do you go about doing things that prove you have a purpose of an ultimate goal to achieve in life. Maybe believing is the first step. I assume you'd have to do things to reaffirm this belief and also teach yourself lessons along the way. So maybe I agree with Dastan when he tells Tamina, "I believe we make our own destiny princess." leaving things to chance won't cut it for me.