Picture source: Past, Present and Future by hazevi via Flickr
A quote by a Hong Kong film veteran Suet Nei, in her 60s, on the need to count your blessings caught my attention…
“At 50, you may die any year. At 60, you may die any month. At 70, you may die any day. At 80, you may die any moment.”
Two years ago, I was facilitating a program in Guangzhou, China and begin the class with a question:
“How many of you believes that your past shapes your future?”
Among the twenty participants, many hands were raised and I drew two big circles on the whiteboard representing the past and future. I asked again:
“Do you think you can change the past?”. A firmed “NO” rang across the class and someone immediately responded:
“But we can change our future!”.
“How? May I ask?” as I sensed that they are getting it… “By changing the present!” most nodding in agreement and smiles.
“How can you change the present?” I persisted and sensed participation and learning.
“By making informed CHOICE to the best of our ability…” came a firm reply by a lady (Ms. Gan Xi) whom I still remember her name till today as she help me to learn more in-depth about the very concept.
“Tell me more…” I invited her as I sensed her enthusiasm.
She continued: ”In fact, by making informed choices in the PRESENT which impact and shape our destiny, in a way it shapes our PAST in the PRESENT because all the decision that we made now will become PAST…therefore, in a way we are ‘changing’ our PAST for the FUTURE. Though we can’t ‘change’ past PAST, but to large extend we can begin shaping PAST in the PRESENT to determine the FUTURE.”
The class went on to deliberate the concept in a conversational circle and I was so pleased that the concept introduced in ‘static’ form was taking a ‘dynamic’ direction in their sharing.
Are you making CHOICES now that might change the PAST for the FUTURE?
Thanks Allen! Certainly a profound piece.
Paul, strangely enough I used to think so how profound indeed when I first known this concept years ago…but not till the word of God from the bible has taught me deeper meaning of His will, love and His promises.
I was sharing with a friend about making a Choice in accepting Him as our savior. He replied “What’s the different between doing so now and doing so later? I will still be save don’t I ?”
I asked “If there’s no different, why not now?” “The present is a gift from our Father…and He long for you.”
WE went on to share with one another how our past will be so different if we choose our Future Now in the Present. Most importantly, he begin to realized he has a Choice – which we know that it’s one of the greatest ‘gift’ God has given us.
Paul, thanks for your encouragement and love in reading and writing my work.