— Judy Garland Destiny is something we all have.

Stepping into your destiny means fulfilling the roll you were created to play in life.

T.D. Jakes writes that destiny is calling out to us. He is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 25 books. His television ministry program, “The Potter’s Touch,” is watched by 3.3 million viewers every week. He has produced Grammy Award-winning music and such films as “Heaven Is for Real,” “Sparkle,” and “Jumping the Broom”.

A master communicator, he hosts “MegaFest,” “Woman Thou Art Loosed,” and other conferences attended by tens of thousands. Bishop Jakes is uniquely gifted to help anyone determined to navigate their life into deeper, more successful experiences. He shares his insights.

“Along your journey to destiny, you will face challenges and struggles, but people don’t experience true success in life by going on the defensive to fight their way ahead,” he writes. “Don’t settle for the least out of life because you think you’re not strong enough to get up and try again.”

For example, Albert Einstein, the 20th century theoretical physicist, endured some setbacks. His parents were concerned that he was mentally challenged during his developmental years. When he applied for early admission into the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School, he failed everything except the math and science sections of the test. Einstein had to go to a trade school for a year before he was eligible to take the exam again and be admitted to school.

If the man who remains the presentday standard of genius had intellectual and educational setbacks and got back up, why can’t we?

Some upcoming events:

Next month is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. The toll-free helpline for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 866-232-8484, is open to all from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST with counseling in English and Spanish.

There are many wonderful services available for those affected by dementia, such as Memory Cafés, which are places where people with any form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, can meet to rebuild their sense of community, talk, ask questions, read, color, listen, play, make crafts and learn about technology. Memory Cafés are held regularly in Biddeford, Saco, Sanford and Kennebunk; visit www.memoryworks.org/memcafes.html for a list of places and times.

On Monday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m., the Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at Coastal Rehab at the Hilltop Community Room at Ocean View, at 20 Blueberry Lane in Falmouth.

If you are interested, remember to register for the Statewide Pro- Life Convention on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Keely’s Banquet Center, 178 Warren Avenue in Portland. Registration is 9–9:30 a.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is Darlene Pawlik, a survivor of sex trafficking, whose journey led her to become a national advocate for the unborn.

Hear Darlene’s harrowing firsthand story of how God’s love and glory shines from even the most difficult beginnings. Learn how one loving pro-life person saved the life of a frightened young girl and her unborn child and led to a legacy of life in many ways. Hear how she journeyed from “Victory to Victory.” Darlene will have her book “Testimony: The Dark Side of Christianity” available for purchase at the convention.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for student. A buffet luncheon will be served.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.