Mistakes of the Past and Questions of the Future

[Shahrukh Atpade]

The past teaches us, the present makes us think, and the future gives us a chance to change.
Mistakes give pain at that time, but the learning from them shapes life.

SALT helps people remember the events of their lives. When people recall the past, they get the strength to change their present and future. Conversation gives a person a chance to look at themselves and think about their decisions.

In Shelakewadi, I had a SALT conversation with a man. This conversation started from his past experiences and ended with his thoughts about the future.

When I went to the village, first I met a group of elderly people. After talking with them, I moved ahead. I saw a man sitting outside his house, whom I had met a few days ago. We started talking. He stays at home now. He cannot move the lower part of his body and walks with support.

I started a SALT conversation with him. I asked him to remember one good thing from his life. He said that his father had a lot of farming land and there was never a shortage of money. When others had nothing, they had four vehicles at their house. Whatever he asked for, he got easily. Here it shows that when things are easily available, their value is not always understood. Because of this, he left school after 6th standard and started enjoying life. He used to eat outside daily and drink alcohol with friends. Until the age of 27, he never returned home properly and always came home after drinking.

He said that he never gave satisfaction to his family. He spent money on wrong things. This shows how past decisions can deeply affect life. One day, after heavy drinking, he met with an accident in the evening. After one month, when he slowly became aware, he realized that he had lost movement in the lower part of his body. This incident happened in 2002, and now 24 years have passed. A single incident can change the whole life, as seen from his experience. He said that when a person gets everything easily, this can be the result, and he is now facing it. This is a memory he will never forget.

I asked him how he now looks at his family and future. He said that he has thought a lot about his past. Earlier everything was easily available, but now the present makes him think. He has two children. One son is working at a good place and his daughter is studying. One of his sons passed away last year because of alcohol. This is a real example of how addiction can destroy a person’s and a family’s life.

He said that even now some people in the village are addicted. But he shares his experiences with children and tells them not to go on that path. From experience, the next generation can be guided in the right direction, which is seen in his actions.

After many years, he shared this story with me. From this, I learned that experience teaches a person in a way that can change their future.

At the end, I did AER with him. He said that every evening he sits outside his house and people just pass by saying hello. But today he spoke everything from his heart and felt satisfied. He said that now he is trying to correct his mistakes and is telling others about it.