Are you a Joseph? Destiny and Your Life

Do you believe that you have a destiny?

I’ve felt that I was created for something extraordinary since I was a child. I don’t mean that I wanted to always be a doctor or an astronaut. I’ve just felt as though I was created to be something that was bigger than myself. I know what many of you are thinking. “He thinks he is Joseph with his fancy coat of many colors. Let’s throw him in a well.” Well wait, before you throw me in that proverbial well, maybe you have felt the same way at times in your life.

joseph and coat of many colorsIt started when I was young

It all started when I was young. My parents were musicians and artists. Maybe I got it honestly as they say. At a young age, I was put in front of people to play the piano, sing and act. I’m surprised I didn’t end up in vaudeville, but that was before my time. I do know that I had quite a vivid imagination. I always had projects going, either building underground forts, spaceships, digging a fish pond in our backyard, setting up all kinds of trails and rides. You see, I didn’t want to sit and watch TV or read a book. I wanted to do something that was worth writing about. I saw each day as an opportunity to explore, think of what the world needed, then go out and create it.

At age 14, things started to change

When I turned 14, my body started to change, my voice cracked, my outlook turned more introspective and I started to wonder what I should put my hand to in life. I had obtained my first job. We lived near farms so working on a farm was the easiest place to get a job. I worked 40 hours a week during the summer and this taught me the meaning of hard work, but this also took a lot of time from when I would spend thinking and being creative. It was then that I started to wonder what my destiny in life was. I know that I was quite young to begin thinking of this type of thing, but as I said, I was introspective. I tried a bunch of different things, but none of them really grabbed me like rocketry. I really wanted to push the envelope of what was available to kids in regards to model rockets.  I wanted to discover new methods of propulsion. Unfortunately, I got a bum steer from a well-meaning uncle that told me that going to work for NASA wasn’t a good idea in the 70’s due to the downsizing of the Apollo program. It was my fault for listening to him. I don’t blame him.

nasa logo

Now that I am a few years older

Well, I’m not exactly 14. I’m now 62. No, I didn’t go to work for NASA. I started my own business and it has worked out quite well. I’m not complaining, but there is still that nagging feeling that there is something out there that I am supposed to become. It is now stronger than it ever has been. I don’t see my age as a hindrance. I see it as years under my belt that gives me the wisdom to go to this next phase of my life. I still love to learn. I  started taking cello lessons, like to read about Physics and I’m open to new technologies and ideas.  I get up early each day, looking forward to what the day has to bring, spending time reading, in prayer and meditation and planning.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

I don’t know, maybe I have a Joseph complex. It could be, but I really don’t think so.
C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” Do you believe this? Do you think you are too old to dream new dreams?

In the comments section, why not add your 2 cents or let me know if you have felt the same way about your destiny at any point in your life. Maybe they made more than one of these multi-colored coats!

28 thoughts on “Are you a Joseph? Destiny and Your Life”

  1. Since I was about 40, and came to know Jesus, and started reading about Joseph, Joshua, Caleb, Ruth and Esther; I have become more introspective as well. I’ve wanted to help and serve others but just haven’t figured out where I fit in. Your writings, however, have sparked something within to do more, like stepping into the Jordan River, to see what God can do to send me on a new adventure. Thanks Gill. Keep on writing and dreaming!

  2. I do my best to follow God’s leading in my life. I feel He has led me to where I am, but I also certainly feel that He is not done with me yet. He placed a desire in my heart to be a mother and He has made that dream come true. Now, He is leading me to reach as many as I can with His gospel.

  3. I’ve always felt like I’m never finished growing or evolving. I have this constant yearning to be better than I was the day before. This is great for setting huge goals and changing your life!

  4. Such a good post, but you’re never too old to start a new path and live your dream. I’m always trying to plan and think of what I want to achieve x

  5. I can actually feel that. Last year I got the feeling like everything was over for me. I was clueless about what to do but as mentioned you are never too old to dream something new. I dealt with that and finally I am heading towards my new dream.

    1. That is awesome Nidhi. We are never too old to dream as long as we have breath. It is easy to get discouraged, but this typically happens when I don’t allow myself to pause and get refreshed or take 10 minutes out of the day to just be alone and let myself dream like when I was a child. Try this. I wrote an article on this and this has helped my immensely when I feel down.

      http://gilltrotman.com/index.php/2018/08/05/have-you-lost-the-art-of-daydreaming/

  6. I like your youthful spirit very much. I fully agree with every word in your desert. I also spent my childhood believing that I was created with a special purpose. We probably have the same syndrome 🙂

    1. It’s a good syndrome to have. I have good friends that feel totally the opposite way and I have a hard time understanding their thought process, but we are still good friends.

  7. At age 14 you were working 40 hours a week! That is something and am sure what invaluable lessons of hard work would have come out of It! Enjoyed reading your reflections. Dreams keep us going, they give new energy and sometimes direction too! You are right in sharing the quote…”never too old to dream…”

    1. The question is, why do many choose or allow themselves to stop dreaming when getting older? I’m no spring chicken and have to make a course correction from time to time as many of my friends begin to speak of retirement and coasting. This is why I choose to live in an eclectic neighborhood and spend time with people who are 10-20 years younger than me to remind me that each day is a gift and to not put that gift on a shelf but to open it and use it fully as the giver intended.

    1. So true. We were all created for a purpose. There are no small purposes or small destinies, some just get more of a spotlight, but fulfilling our destiny touches many lives.

  8. It’s never too late to start something new for sure, and often you’ll start the wrong thing a few times before nailing it. Keep up the great attitude!

  9. I agree, I don’t think your age should ever hinder your dreams! As long as you’re open to new possibilities and learning, you can do anything. I don’t think I’ve ever pictured myself doing anything so grand. I’ve never known what I want to do in life. The only thing I know for sure is that I like to make people happy and help people. So whatever I do I just keep that in mind! I also love the earth and want to make it a better place. So I’m working in my little ways to do those things.

    1. That is my goal as well, to help others be happy and provide an environment where they can flourish. The earth is our gift and we must take care of it and place it above selfish interests.

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