Destiny, the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.

That’s the definition that comes up when you google it. Destiny, or fate, whatever you want to call it, is something everyone knows and understands on an intrinsic level.

Destiny comes in two forms, one beaconing us to our greatest potential, the other to our downfall. Like a lighthouse steering a ship through a stormy night at sea, destiny calls us to the safety of its shore as we navigate through all the obstacles and trials that the sea of life throws at us. We may be fortunate enough to have calm waves as we make our way. However, that rarely ever happens. For most, the waves are rough, towering high, and leaving us void of hope that we will survive when it comes crashing into us. Some may try to avoid the wave, others may find a way to navigate it, and a few may face it head on. It is in these moments that we must remember the lighthouse, destiny, calling us to shore. If we are true to ourselves and heed destiny’s call we will overcome the obstacle, putting us one step closer to the safe sandy shores of destiny.

On the other hand, destiny can be a cruel bastard. Like a bug zapper alluring moths to their demise with it’s angelic radiance, so too can destiny guide us to our downfall. In the darkness, the moth does not know the nature of the light, only that it shines brighter than the night. The beckoning of the light overwhelms the moth to go towards it, without any thought of what will happen once it arrives. There are many moths in our world, doing whatever they can to get to the light. They will take whatever means and perform any act, regardless of how vile, to reach the warm embrace of the light. Once they reach it and get zapped, they either accept the illumination of their ignorance, or they choose to die in it.

Whether our destiny is a lighthouse or a bug zapper, we do not know until after we have reached it. We may not always know the path we walk as we make our way through life, but we know when destiny is calling. All that matters, is whether or not we decide to answer.

Upon seeing the Pillar of Learning, destiny was calling, and I am answering it.

Pocketed within the heart of the Woods, surrounded by a small forest ring of imported redwoods from out west, stood the Pillar of Learning. Over 200 floors of varying rooms and structures for any and all purposes to meet the needs, wants, and dreams an establishment of education could ever have. The building’s design was simple and sleek. A large square base expanding miles in each direction, the floors erecting upward to the clouds, with crisp modern panels. Most of them were pearly white, while others had windows of varying sizes and positions on the wall. From the car’s view on the ground I can’t see the structure’s top, or the state of the art satellite dish they brag about on their website.

The sight was glorious, except for one minor blemish.

The protestors.

It is every American’s right to voice and demonstrate their opinions on matters of all types, it is our most sacred right. A right that a vast majority of Americans will fight to their dying breath in order to uphold. Of course arguments can be had on finer elements on the topic, but needless to say, this right is the closest to an American’s heart. The right to voice your message or stance, thus giving you an opportunity to make change. It is partially the reason why I can’t help but admire the heart of the protestors, even though I don’t necessarily agree with the legitimacy of their message.

A force removed my headphones from my head, ending the spell of seduction the ramble of jazz had cast on me on our ride. They slid down to the base of my neck as I twisted my head to see the culprit. No surprise, the perpetrator was Brad, his tall lanky frame was highlighted as he stood hunched in the limo, “Those headphones really do their job, anyways it’s time to go. Winston is unloading our bags from the trunk.”

“Sorry, I’ll be right out,” my eyes returned to the window. Cladded in rainbow jumpsuits, and adorning signs of various calls for equality and diversity in hand; the protestors stood on the frontline in their fight for social justice.

A path ran through the heart of the protestors to the front doors of the Pillar of Learning, a few security bots were the only thing keeping the protestors from consuming the pathway. Holding their arms to their side, each security bot used the magnets in their palms to lock with their grip, looking at their feet revealed clamps clasping the ground beneath them.

The bots actions are quite reassuring they are prepared, yet there is potential that some protestors could take this as a threat. If any news outlets are filming this, they might take the opportunity to spin the narrative to their benefit and profit.

I’ve kept everyone waiting long enough, time to face destiny.

The shouts of the protestors were not as united as their uniforms, but a few were using blow horns to share the group’s message.

“USP NEEDS MORE DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY!”

“USP TEAR DOWN YOUR WALLS!”

“Is everything alright Mr. Duval?” The morning light assaulted my eyes when I stepped out of the tinted cabin of the limo, but I didn’t have to see to know that Winston was asking me, politely, what the hold up is. He didn’t wait for my eyes to adjust to place the handle to my luggage in my hand, the squeaking of the wheels did little to calm my nerves.

“Yes Winston. I didn’t mean to inconvenience anyone but,” I turned my gaze from him to my friends standing idle by the pathway to our future. Their lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear them, but their motioning from their hands was indication enough that they wanted me to hurry up.

Winston placed his hand on my shoulder, forcing my nerves to stand still and listen to him, “You are nervous.”

“Yes.”

“Are you nervous about going to college, or those protestors standing in front of you?”

“Both. I have nerves from excitement about starting college, but nerves from anxiety about walking past the protestors.”

Winston allowed himself a rare chuckled, “I believe it is only natural for someone to feel nerves about both situations. However, just because you are nervous doesn’t mean you should let it hinder you from moving forward.”

“I know.”

Winston’s hand moved from my shoulder to my back, my legs moved in tandem to his encouraging push forward, “Well then, what are waiting for? Destiny is calling.”