He ran years later still insearch of the greater good he was supposed to accomplish like the monk told him...

I noticed a lot of what the monk was saying to him kinda fit in with what the ring lady was telling him..

This is not your path... All for a greater good.. Things like that then he meets his Penny after getting fired the night before... Desmond following the path he had no control over.. If these things would have never happened he would not have been with Penny and would not have followed his path to the island!

__________________
Please don't give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for
you. Always. I love you, Pen

DESMOND: I love you, Penny. I've always loved you. I'm so sorry. I love you!
PENNY: I love you too.
DESMOND: I don't know where I am, but--
PENNY: I'll find you, Des--
DESMOND: --I promise--
PENNY: --no matter what--
DESMOND: --I'll come back to you--
PENNY: --I won't give up--
BOTH: I promise. I love you.