Have I ever wished that I could rewrite some of my experiences?
Sure I have. But I don't have a time machine and it's a good thing because I'd be in that thing more than living in the present moment. Changing the course of your life is still possible, even without the machine. 
Or rather, it's allowing the course of your life.
Last night my husband and I watched a romance time travel movie, "Needle in a Timestack". For me it prompted a point of view on seeing and supporting the people in my life, to the ethics interfering with the past, the what-if time travel scenarios. The imagined possibilities and their imagined outcomes kept me busy for quite a bit.
One of the lead characters in the movie, temporarily went back in time and behaved differently toward his friend. He was able to respect, love, and support his friend during his visit to the past. This beneficially altered the course of everyone's lives including his friend, and eventually his own life.
He really saw his friend, and that was the catalyst for the change. That plot line floored me because I've personally experienced what it feels like to not be seen by some people close to me. That was powerful. We should give everyone the gift of being seen.
Regarding going back to change the course of our life? The good news is that we don't need a time machine to do that.
Changing the course of our lives happens every day.
We affect our lives and shift the direction through our decisions, choices, thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Through the energy we're creating and holding.
When something is perceived as "not good" by me I want to make it better. It's so easy for me to fall into the habit of spending a lot of energy trying to force it to be better, only to realize the experience is not mine to control.
Even a small choice we make can have a lasting effect for hours, days, or years to come. Let's choose wisely.
Below, is some of what I've wanted to change. I've listed some of the ways I can surrender to the experience rather than control it. Forcing an experience only brings lower emotions and pain.
Here's that list.
- Despairing over American politics. Instead, let go to: Focusing on creating a great life for myself and creating a better reality.
- Being irked at a handmade political sign, that was nailed way up in a tree at the entrance to our neighborhood. Instead, let go to: Consider that who did this, did what they thought was right. I focus on my nice life perhaps paint, listen to music... Anyone have a bucket truck?!
- Being annoyed when people ride through the neighboring woods with noisy dirt bikes. Instead: I acknowledge this is how they enjoy nature. I exhale and go on about my day.
- Frustration with people who refuse to wear a mask to protect others and themselves. Instead: When I pass them I repeat a Metta meditation in my mind, "may you (I) be well, may you be supported, may you be loved, may you feel peace, may you be free from fear and anxiety".
- My three bears judgy scenarios. "That's not good, this is good", etc... Instead: Be consciously present in the moment and watch the judgment leave as fast as it appeared.
- "I need or I want..." statements. Instead: I can appreciate and be grateful for what's showing up presently.
- "Why can't I?..." self-critical statements. Instead: Observe myself observing this thought.
As human beings, we don't have to enjoy every experience or person. Though when we surrender to what shows up, we have a much better chance to transform ourselves in that moment. We ultimately enjoy more of our human experience, and more of our fellow human beings.
Spending time and energy wishing that some people and some experiences were different was killing my inspiration and creativity and, most importantly, my joy.
Sitting in my spirituality, I'm being shown how to become more self-aware and conscious throughout the day. It's front and center these days to trust that all moments are perfect.
Allowing for my human experiences is my most important and challenging spiritual practice.
Surrendering through letting go doesn't mean never taking action. I still take steps that are in my best interest. Remember that sign? It went up two years ago! I made several phone calls to get it removed. Not one department or organization removed it. Maybe it's here to stay until I learn to let go. Is this the universe's way of showing me the sign can only affect my well-being if I choose to let it?
The universe is tricky but I have a lot of respect for it.
Changing the course of my well-being has also shown up around one or more of my relationships. Instead of me trying to force these relationships to work (they don't and won't), it's time to let them go.
Spiritual growth can have its share of pain. It can be brutal at times. The pain will pass and there's an opening to less pain, more joy, and growth.
When I push off difficult decisions they show up again for me to deal with at some point. Brings new meaning to I can run but I can't hide. If it's in your best interest, you'll be shown that it's time NOW to take action to shift the course of your life. Remind yourself that stepping up to take care of yourself is brave and sometimes the bravest thing is to just let go.
Surrender is freedom. It's living in a deeper and more intuitive way.
I've written about my version of being vs doing (link to post here) before. There's a sweet spot between being and doing, surrendering, allowing.
Trust and let go to the art of being human.