--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can't control our destiny. We can't go…" description: "\"“We can't control our destiny. We can't go back into our past history and make changes. But we can begin this moment by setting a goal and pursuing it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ellen-j-barrier-2650_better-life_we-can-t-control-our-destiny-we-can-t-go_347359.jpg" --- # We can't control our destiny. We can't go back into our… ![“We can't control our destiny. We can't go back into our past history and make changes. But we can begin this moment by setting a goal and pursuing it for a better life with a greater purpose.” quote by Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ellen-j-barrier-2650_better-life_we-can-t-control-our-destiny-we-can-t-go_347359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ellen-j-barrier-2650_better-life_we-can-t-control-our-destiny-we-can-t-go_347359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/ellen-j-barrier-2650_better-life_we-can-t-control-our-destiny-we-can-t-go_347359.jpg) > ““We can't control our destiny. We can't go back into our past history and make changes. But we can begin this moment by setting a goal and pursuing it for a better life with a greater purpose.”” [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Accepts past immutability, urging present‑focused goal pursuit for purpose. **In simple terms:** We can’t change the past, but we can set goals now. Key Takeaway Start purposeful action today. Themes purpose goal‑setting agency Mood motivational optimistic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - career development - personal coaching - habit formation Key Concepts self‑improvement future planning Questions to Reflect On - What goal can you set right now? - How will this goal align with a greater purpose? A Different Perspective May ignore systemic barriers to change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Greater purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-purpose/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [“We can't go back into our past history and make changes. But we can begin this moment by setting a goal and pursuing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/we-can-t-go-back-into-our-past-history-and-make-changes-but-we-can/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [Most of society thinks that biography is destiny, that the past equals the future, and of course it does if you live there...but what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/most-of-society-thinks-that-biography-is-destiny-that-the-past-equals/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-felt-as-if-i-were-walking-with-destiny-and-that-all-my-past-life/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“There is a better future, with a greater purpose. We can find it, only when we search for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/there-is-a-better-future-with-a-greater-purpose-we-can-find-it-only/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“In regards to climbing the ladder of success, there is a better future, with a greater purpose. One can find it, only if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/in-regards-to-climbing-the-ladder-of-success-there-is-a-better-future/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“There is a better future, with a greater purpose. One can find it, only if he or she searches for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/there-is-a-better-future-with-a-greater-purpose-one-can-find-it-only/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“We move forward by having confidence within ourselves, with hope for a greater purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/we-move-forward-by-having-confidence-within-ourselves-with-hope-for-a/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [That's the reason you want to become a star as an actor, to be able to have more control of your destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-cranston/that-s-the-reason-you-want-to-become-a-star-as-an-actor-to-be-able-to/) [Bryan Cranston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-cranston/) > [I realized I don't want anyone to control my destiny, whether it's a network TV show or not. 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Emlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-emlund/) > [“For Sehra who broke the silence of hypocrisy, that Allah consistently says he hates; in the dictionary meaning of Satan out of 3 –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehmina-durrani/for-sehra-who-broke-the-silence-of-hypocrisy-that-allah-consistently/) [Tehmina Durrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehmina-durrani/) > [“As Red Buffalo disappeared into the darkness, Hunter’s hand, which was riding Loretta’s thickened waist, tightened. He glanced down, his brows lifting in question.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/as-red-buffalo-disappeared-into-the-darkness-hunter-s-hand-which-was/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Move beyond yourself to serve a greater purpose and vision. Learn to mix, mingle, and glow, thus helping others feel more comfortable, at ease,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/move-beyond-yourself-to-serve-a-greater-purpose-and-vision-learn-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“There is a powerful difference between picturing an image that does not relate to you, and recalling something specific that you are connected with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-houge/there-is-a-powerful-difference-between-picturing-an-image-that-does/) [Adam Houge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-houge/) ## More by Ellen J. Barrier > [“Good health and happiness are life’s most precious treasures. Those who possess them are blessed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/good-health-and-happiness-are-life-s-most-precious-treasures-those/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“When children are given spiritual guidance, they grow-up learning to know how to pray and praise God. Even though they might not be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-children-are-given-spiritual-guidance-they-grow-up-learning-to/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“The person who is rich is the one who possess kindness, caring, help others when needed, gives things that money can't buy, and spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-person-who-is-rich-is-the-one-who-possess-kindness-caring-help/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“People should get their information from the source with facts before sharing it. 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Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“To focus energy on the less important things in life, hinder creating a solution to solve those problems that are of the most importance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/to-focus-energy-on-the-less-important-things-in-life-hinder-creating/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“The strength of a man is in his character. A strong man is a great man of wisdom who understands, his top priority is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-strength-of-a-man-is-in-his-character-a-strong-man-is-a-great-man/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Life is a journey; let's enjoy it, seeing some exciting things, and having fun along the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/life-is-a-journey-let-s-enjoy-it-seeing-some-exciting-things-and/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Prayers are like the powerful sounds of trumpets. When God's people come together and pray, the walls that challenge progress will fall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/prayers-are-like-the-powerful-sounds-of-trumpets-when-god-s-people/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Those who find themselves in the "You are going to miss my loving" section Without LOVE are the ones who abused their relationship by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/those-who-find-themselves-in-the-you-are-going-to-miss-my-loving/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“The tough times we human beings go through, are meant to change us into better people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-tough-times-we-human-beings-go-through-are-meant-to-change-us/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Hanging with people who make you feel unappreciated, for the mere sake of appearing to be popular, is the loneliest place to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/hanging-with-people-who-make-you-feel-unappreciated-for-the-mere-sake/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“People who like their job will give it their best. Those who don't, show it by a poor performance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/people-who-like-their-job-will-give-it-their-best-those-who-don-t/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) [Explore all 156 Ellen J. Barrier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) ## More Better life quotes > [My father longed for a better life for us, and when I was nine he got a job as a heart surgeon in Belfast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-melua/my-father-longed-for-a-better-life-for-us-and-when-i-was-nine-he-got/) [Katie Melua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-melua/) > [A faithfully kept program of savings and conservative investments can give you more money and a better life than that of your neighbors who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-bryant-quinn/a-faithfully-kept-program-of-savings-and-conservative-investments-can/) [Jane Bryant Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-bryant-quinn/) > [“There is no greater force for change than people inspired to live a better life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/there-is-no-greater-force-for-change-than-people-inspired-to-live-a/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [If you want to live a meaningfully better life, you're going to have to make the dangerous choice to dissent. A life lived meaningfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/if-you-want-to-live-a-meaningfully-better-life-you-re-going-to-have/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) > [“I've know Bruce Wayne for over 50 years, and Ive kept an eye on you your whole life. You're not Bruce's clone, you're his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-timm/i-ve-know-bruce-wayne-for-over-50-years-and-ive-kept-an-eye-on-you/) [Bruce Timm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-timm/) > [TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE.. 1. Live without pretending. 2. Love without depending. 3. Listen without defending. 4. Speak without offending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/tips-for-a-better-life-1-live-without-pretending-2-love-without/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [There is always the possibility of a better life with every change that we face, but sometimes we have to look hard for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowick/there-is-always-the-possibility-of-a-better-life-with-every-change/) [David Bowick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowick/) > [So in the near future, two or three years, people in Kyrgyzstan will experience a better life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurmanbek-bakiyev/so-in-the-near-future-two-or-three-years-people-in-kyrgyzstan-will/) Kurmanbek Bakiyev > [I want to make sure that I fulfill the aspirations of the Gabonese people: to have access to a better life, job opportunities, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-bongo-ondimba/i-want-to-make-sure-that-i-fulfill-the-aspirations-of-the-gabonese/) [Ali Bongo Ondimba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-bongo-ondimba/) > [We will strive to make Taiwan a better place and enable our people to live better lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-shui-bian/we-will-strive-to-make-taiwan-a-better-place-and-enable-our-people-to/) [Chen Shui-bian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-shui-bian/) > [The slums are not a place of despair. 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