by Gary Jenkins

Created on: May 09, 2008   Last Updated: May 16, 2008

An individual's past most certainly has an influence on their life,but that does not mean that they have to be controlled by it.There are countless examples of those who have emerged from very bleak conditions of poverty and hunger and the devastations of war to become noble human beings who helped the rest of the world become better as a result of their efforts and actions.There are also those who were blessed with very secure,loving upbringings,who became monstrous in their lust for money and power.Therefore,it becomes evident that the events which occur in the life of an individual's past do not necessarily control the rest of that person's life.

There are those who say that they have no control over their life because of what has happened in their past.These individuals are using their past as an excuse to continue on without making a critical evaluation of their life and deciding to make changes which will improve their lives and help and enrich those around them.Yes,an individual may find the circumstances of the past and present to be difficult,almost,insurmountable.But,there is a strength within the very core of all humanity which can become focused,and by determination of the will,can bring change to any negative situation and turn it around for the better.

Change requires us to examine ourselves and make an honest assessment of who we are at the present moment.This addresses the underlying question of-if we are being controlled by our past,how can we change it?It means we have to take direct action and take control over our lives and move toward positive goals.Physics tells us that to get an object moving from a stationary position requires force,and that the distance we move the object requires a certain amount of energy.This is the definition of "work".

Yes,an individual's past may be controlling their life.But it doesn't have to,it is not written in stone.We are intelligent creatures with free will and we are capable of re-directing the path of our lives.We have something called "choice".We can choose to improve our status in life.We can go to library and read,we can do push ups and sit ups to lose weight,we can volunteer our free time to help others,there are a myriad number of things we can do.Notice that these are choices,followed by actions.That is what it takes to become free.

An individual can choose not to repeat the mistakes of the past.By doing so,the future becomes an open door of opportunity.The future possibilities become predominant and the past becomes simply,the past.

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