Travelling Thoughts

As someone who spends half my life navigating hospital corridors and the other half navigating the highways of Europe and Asia, the question of “Fate” comes up more than you’d think. Is our life a pre-programmed GPS route, or are we just holding a compass and hoping that we end up where we are supposed to?

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

At HaveStories, I try to write about travelling and things that are related to travels, but today’s prompt makes me take a deeper look at the why behind the where.

The Crossroads of Countries

Right now, my wife and I are back at the drawing board. We know we are going to leave Finland, but the destination—Spain or Malaysia—is currently a coin toss. Is it “destiny” that will decide where we land? Is the current war in Middle East that the US and israel started a sign that we should remain in Europe. The same continent which is, quoting the fabulous Mrs. Slocombe, “weak as water!” when it comes to condemning the attack on a sovereign soil.

Peraonally I don’t think fate is a locked door, I believe on the free will. Fate is rather the destination, but the turns we take, the speed we drive, and the people we pick up along the way—that’s all us and our decisions. Choosing to leave a toxic workplace, for instance, isn’t waiting for fate; it’s grabbing the steering wheel, and taking a leap of fate.

The Serendipity of Travel

If you’ve followed my blog for longer time, you know that there are often moments that, especially in hindsight, are more than mere happenstance, they start to feel more like they were “meant to be.”

One example of this was the decade-long “long goodbye” with my Mum that taught me more about life than any textbook ever could. For most of that time I was blind to the harsh truth, even if my wife tried to wake me up to face it.

Another good example is the time before I reverted back to Islam. There is complications that lead to us ending up in Estonia, where I reverted. Like breadcrumbs on a path everything happened just like it should.

I believe that these aren’t just accidents. They are the rewards for being brave enough to face the hardships and leave the house.

In travel, “Fate” is just what happens when preparation meets opportunity. It usually means we find places we would never see if we stuck on predetermined routes and motorways.

The Professional Perspective: Nursing and Destiny

In the ward, you see the other side of “Fate”. Here, inside the rooms that don’t exactly remind you of home, it is in its rawest form. Walking in one room you see people beat the odds, and heading to the next one you see others slip away despite every effort.

It humbles you.

It makes you realise that while we can’t control the destination—that final station written in our Qadar—we have absolute agency over how we treat people during the journey. This is where Adab (spiritual etiquette) meets the open road; it’s the belief that even when the GPS fails, our character shouldn’t. Many, many times I have seen and experienced that the best treatment there is is our own character.

That’s exactly why I want to move into consulting—to help navigate the system better. I believe we are destined for Ihsan (excellence), not just day-to-day survival. We aren’t here to merely outlast the toxicity of a broken system; we are here to be the ‘gentle breeze’ that changes its direction.

Gear Up for Your Own Destiny

Whether you believe in fate or just in the power of a good map, you shouldn’t have to navigate the world alone. I want to give you the tools to find your own “meant to be” moments:

Stay Connected: Don’t let a lack of data stand in the way of your next great story. Use my Saily Affiliate Link to grab an e-SIM for your next trip. It’s the easiest way to keep your GPS on track  (and peace in your soul) without the roaming nightmare.

The VIP Pass: I’m flipping the script for my supporters. If you’ve enjoyed these stories or want to help us get from Finland to our next “destined” home, please consider Buying Me A Coffee or joining our Patreon.

The Reward: As a massive “Thank You,” all contributors get an exclusive Saily discount code. It’s my way of making sure your journey is a little smoother and a lot cheaper.

Fate might choose the road, but you choose the ride.