The future is unwritten.

"The future is unwritten." These words from Joe Strummer encapsulate a profound truth about human potential, freedom, and the unknown. Strummer, through this simple yet powerful statement, reminds us that the future is not a preordained path or a rigid destiny—it is a blank slate, shaped by the choices we make and the actions we take. The future, in this view, is something that we are constantly in the process of creating, not something that is handed to us or dictated by forces beyond our control. It is a call to action, an invitation to embrace the uncertainty and possibility that lies ahead, and to understand that the power to shape what comes next lies within us.

In the ancient world, the concept of an unwritten future was a concept filled with both mystery and hope. The Greeks believed in the Fates, three sisters who controlled the destiny of every person. They spun the thread of life, measured it, and cut it at the end of one's life. However, even within the constraints of fate, the ancients understood that choice and action still played a role in the shaping of life. Socrates, the great philosopher, argued that we cannot predict everything, but we can choose how we respond to the circumstances we face. Similarly, Strummer’s quote points to the idea that while we cannot foresee every event in our lives, our choices, our decisions, and our courage in the face of uncertainty will determine the course of our future.

The story of Alexander the Great offers a poignant example of someone who, despite the fates being handed to him as the son of a king, was determined to carve his own path. Alexander’s future, though influenced by his lineage, was not written for him. He could have chosen to remain in the comfort of his father’s empire, but instead, he took bold action, forging an empire of his own. In doing so, he reshaped not just his own life, but the course of history. His ability to make decisions and take risks demonstrated the ancient truth that the future is unwritten, and it is up to the individual to choose how to live and what legacy to leave behind.

In more recent times, the rise of social movements throughout history reveals that the future truly is in the hands of those willing to challenge the status quo and write their own stories. The civil rights movement in the United States is a powerful example. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks could have accepted the world as it was—one that kept them in chains of inequality. Instead, they decided to fight for a better future. They did not know what the future would bring, but they acted with the belief that they could shape it. Like Strummer’s words, their actions proved that the future is unwritten, and that with action and conviction, we can push the world toward a new, more just reality.

In the story of Joan of Arc, we find another example of someone who, despite being a young, uneducated peasant girl, chose to follow her vision and rewrite the future of France. Though she was destined for an ordinary life, her decision to lead an army, to inspire her people, changed the course of history. Joan’s life was unpredictable, and yet it was her belief in the possibility of a different future—her courage to stand up against overwhelming odds—that ultimately shaped the world around her. Her life serves as a powerful reminder that the future is not defined by where we start, but by the choices we make along the way.

The lesson here is clear: the future is unwritten, and it is up to each of us to shape it with the decisions we make today. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our future is already decided by fate, or by the circumstances of our birth, wealth, or status. But as Strummer, and the ancients, remind us, we have the power to make choices that break free from the constraints of the past. Whether it is in our personal lives, our careers, or our societies, we are all given the gift of an unwritten future, one that we can mold with the courage to act, the vision to dream, and the resolve to persevere.

Let us take action by embracing the truth that our future is not a passive journey, but an active process. Every decision we make today shapes the course of tomorrow. Whether we are pursuing a dream, fighting for justice, or simply striving to be the best version of ourselves, let us remember that we have the power to determine what the future holds. Let us write our own stories with boldness and purpose, knowing that the future belongs to those who dare to create it, just as Strummer believed. The future is unwritten, and it is our privilege and responsibility to shape it with every choice we make.