"No puedes volver atrás y cambiar el principio pero puedes comenzar donde estás y cambiar el final."

Life doesn't come with a rewind button. You can't undo the past, no matter how much you might want to. But here's the good news — you have the power to change what’s ahead. This idea is about empowerment and taking control of your future, regardless of where you've come from.

Think back to 1940s America. C.S. Lewis, the guy who wrote this quote, was living through turbulent times. The world was in the grip of World War II. People were grappling with uncertainty, loss, and the aftermath of their decisions. It’s easy to see why he’d emphasize the importance of moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. Everyone needed hope, a chance to believe that despite where they started or what mistakes they'd made, they could still write a different ending.

Remember that time when you felt like you really messed up? Like, maybe you lost a job, or a relationship ended badly, and you thought, “Well, that’s it. I’ve screwed everything up.” Take Oprah Winfrey, for example. She was born into poverty, faced a tumultuous childhood, and endured significant personal and professional setbacks. But she didn't let a rough start dictate her entire story. She pivoted, used every opportunity to learn and grow, and became one of the most influential people in the world. Her past didn’t define her—her response to it did.

So how do you apply this in your own life? Start by forgiving yourself. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of regret and self-blame. Cut yourself some slack. Recognize your mistakes, learn from them, and then let them go. Next, set clear, achievable goals. Focus on what you can do today that will positively impact your future. It’s about small, consistent steps rather than giant leaps. And when things go south again (because they might), don’t beat yourself up. Just adjust your course and keep moving.

Imagine you’re driving a car. You miss an exit. Do you stop the car and cry about it? Probably not. You find the next exit, turn around if you have to, and get back on track. Life’s the same. You missed an opportunity? Okay, but there's another one coming. Get ready for it.

A friend of mine once bombed his first year in college. He partied too much, didn’t study, and ended up on academic probation. He could’ve thrown in the towel. But instead, he took a hard look at what went wrong and made a plan. He set realistic study schedules, found a group of supportive friends, and, bit by bit, turned things around. By his senior year, he was on the dean’s list. He couldn’t redo that first year, but he sure changed his ending.

In essence, let’s take a leaf out of C.S. Lewis’s book. Your past is a chapter, not the whole story. It’s never too late to change direction. Embrace where you are right now, and focus on where you want to go. The ending is still yours to write.