Destiny?

            In The Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn says that his heart is in Rivendell, but he knows that he cannot stay there. Is he destined to be far away from where he believes he belongs? In my opinion, he isn't. Aragorn is physically capable of remaining in one place, especially if that place is Rivendell. However, I think that he would have a hard time justifying this to himself. He won't linger in Elrond's hall because he has a sense of duty. He has sworn to protect Frodo, so he leaves Rivendell as soon as Frodo does. I don't think any greater force is making him do this, I think he's making himself do this. He has free will just like everyone else, he just chooses to take action against the Enemy rather than relax with the elves.
          Aragorn is not the only character whom destiny holds no grasp over. Frodo is capable of doing whatever he feels like as well. I don't think that the undoing of the ring by Frodo's hand was ordained by God. I believe that the opportunity to destroy the ring has been presented to him, and he has decided to give it a shot. To say at the end of his quest that he was fated to destroy it, that it couldn't have gone the other way, is an insult to his daring and courage.
          How does this apply to real life? I believe the same thing about the world we live in. I don't think we have destinies any more than I believe that the characters in the book have one. To me, it seems like a cop-out to blame Fate if something goes wrong. You tried and failed? It must have been an angry god interfering with your plans because there's no way that you were inadequate. The previous two sentences are a joke to me. Blaming destiny means that you're not taking responsibility. People credit themselves for their successes, but blame a vengeful spirit for their failures. I never hear people crediting destiny when things go right for them, so why should the blame go there when it all goes to pieces?