Beginnings & Endings

Some guy named C.S. Lewis (anyone ever heard of him?) once said,
“You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
 
Do you believe that? I think I can to an extent. Since we don't have the ability to travel back in time, the first part must be true. But how about the second part? Do you believe you have the power to change the future with your actions today? Is your path pre-planned like some kind of destiny or can you shape it into how you'd like it to be based off your actions? Is there some greater power at work while you labor or are you merely a compilation of the consequences of your personal decisions? How do you prepare for the unexpected? My oh my, so many variables to consider!
 
I think we can agree there are external factors that affect our lives which are beyond our control. The “who” or “why” behind those happenings may ultimately escape us, but perhaps the “what should I do?” doesn't need to suffer the same fate. No matter what brought us to the current moment in which we find ourselves, it stands to reason that we ultimately decide how we will move forward.
 
So, what gives your life meaning? What principles do you choose to live by? Where do those principles come from? On what or whom are they founded? Are they just for your own good or for the good of others? Ask yourself, are you stuck in the PAST or living in the PRESENT thinking about how you can positively affect the FUTURE of yourself and those around you? Are you devaluing yourself because of BEGINNINGS or adding value to some ENDINGS?