Fate

1. karma, kismet; chance, luck. Fate, destiny, doom refer to the idea of a fortune, usually adverse, that is predetermined and inescapable. The three words are frequently interchangeable. Fate stresses the irrationality and impersonal character of events: It was Napoleon's fate to be exiled. The word is often lightly used, however: It was my fate to meet her that very afternoon. Destiny emphasizes the idea of an unalterable course of events, and is often used of a propitious fortune: It was his destiny to save his nation. Doom esp. applies to the final ending, always unhappy or terrible, brought about by destiny or fate: He met his doom bravely. 7. foreordain, preordain.

I keep thinking I should just make things happen. And, even though I can't believe some things are just left to fate, I know that some things--some things I just can't control.

In the morning, I'll realize that's the good news. If things aren't exactly how you intended them to be, you can just give yourself a break. Some things are chosen for us, and we do with them what we can, and hope.

When Paul Rusesabagina of Hotel Rwanda was asked why he chose to do what he did, he replied, "This was chosen for me."