Hand of Destiny

A great Japanese warrior named Nobunaga decided to attack the enemy, although he had only one-tenth the number of men the opposition commanded. He was confident that he would win, but his soldiers were in doubt. On the way, he stopped at a Shinto shrine and told his men: ‘After I visit the shrine I will toss a coin. If it is heads, we will win; if it is tails, we will lose. Destiny holds us in her hand.’

Nobunaga entered the shrine and offered a silent prayer. He came out and tossed a coin. It came up heads. His soldiers were then so eager to fight that they won their battle easily.

‘No one can change the hand of destiny,’ his attendant said after the battle.

‘Indeed not,’ said Nobunaga, showing a coin that was double-sided, with heads facing either way.

Reference: Reps, P (2000) Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, Penguin, London.

How do you overcome life”s difficulties and obstacles? Do you resign to fate? Or do you take a step of faith to follow the fact – you are your own fate. You own your own destiny.

In Co-active Coaching, we know that you have the potential to change and overcome. You are your own destiny.