A Message to the Children

I started with a demonstration.

I asked the group of adolescents, “how many of you believe I can predict the future?
In silent anticipation, I observed their reactions..

With deliberate poise, I withdrew a pen from the recesses of my inner jacket pocket, lifting it into the air.

Closing my eyes with intent, I proclaimed, “I foresee, in the days ahead, this pen shall find its place upon the ground; are you prepared? Let us together count to ten.” Employing the gestures of a seasoned magician and infusing the moment with dramatic flair, I orchestrated the scene.

Then when the crowd arrived at the count of ten dropped the pen and said,

“The best way to predict the future, is to create it.”

Let me tell you the power of taking wielding the “Now”, for now holds the power to shape reality to your will. Your decisions made “Now” is what creates the past, and as such, every decision you have made thus far has created this very moment where you sit before me.

Consider the friends chosen, the pursuit of knowledge, the attainment of academic accolades, the mere act of attending this gathering — each element has contributed to shaping this juncture in time. With every thought translated into action, we lay the foundation for the future; it is the choices we make today that shall define tomorrow. Thus, we wield the existential key of the “now,” dictating the trajectory of our lives.

Control your thoughts and environment by choosing what to be around, surround yourself with, and what to exclude yourself from, as that is what will create your future tomorrow.
Life will always give you difficulty, problems, stress, temptations, and worry, but as long as you remember you are the master of your own universe, and that you hold the key of key to creating the past and future, you can make the best of every situation, good, bad, sad, mad, and happy.

Your entire life will be a string of tests that your thoughts and actions will cause you to pass or fail, it won’t be just algebra and social studies, science and, language arts, it will also be peer pressure, reluctance, triumph and failure.
I say this not to give you the impression that everything will go your way as long as you’re creating positive thoughts, and making positive steps forward; I say this to you so that even when there is failure, disappointment, and unforeseen difficulty, you will remember that how you think, and how you handle these moments will be the deciding factor on whether you will grow, move forward, and evolve, or crumble.

Remember expectation is the father of all disappointment, but still, always hope for the best and prepare for the worst, put your best efforts before you. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks, for your life story will be shaped not only by your successes, but also how you navigate failures and yet tenaciously never gave up.
Be kind, and always do your best to create a positive and productive “Now”, because no matter how daunting a challenge, no matter how unfair life may seem, no matter how nervous and scary things may be; in the end, nothing beats a failure but a try.

Excerpt from The Reality of J.A.Montemoiño