Time Machine: What Would I Change if I Could Go Back?

The idea of a time machine stirs the soul and the mind, sparking wild dreams. Who hasn't found themselves lost in thought, wondering about the past and the things they could change—those tiny moments that haunt you, or those monumental ones that define history? If I could step into a time machine, the thrill of it would be overwhelming, yet terrifying. The question is—what moment would I choose to change? And how would that ripple through my future?

If I could turn back time, if I could rewrite one chapter of my life, I would go straight to 13th November 2009—the last day I saw my father. That day isn't just etched in my memory; it has carved itself into my very soul. The weight of that day pulls me down even now. If only we had rushed him to the hospital, maybe—just maybe—he would still be here. Maybe he'd still be standing beside us, the unbreakable pillar of our family. And those who hurt us today? They wouldn't dare if he were here, protecting us.

But here's the cruel truth—if I could change that day, my entire future would be rewritten. And in that rewriting, I would lose something so precious to me: my son. How could I risk that? Even with all the pain, all the unanswered questions, I don't want to undo the life I have now.

Still, there's one thing I desperately wish I could go back for: one last conversation with my father. I wish I could have massaged oil on his feet that night, shown him that one final gesture of care. That regret—small to others, but monumental to me—follows me like a shadow. It's the only regret that clings to my heart. Everything else in life, I've accepted. But that? That lingers.

There are other moments too, where I wish I could go back and make a different choice, fix a mistake, or take a leap I didn't dare to take. What if I had pursued a dream that fear held me back from? What if I had nurtured certain relationships better, or handled a situation differently? Those small decisions—how might they have changed everything?

But would changing those mistakes guarantee a better future? We often find that our most valuable lessons come from our errors, from the scars we bear. Without them, I wouldn't have grown stronger, wiser, more resilient. I would be someone else entirely.

What if I could go beyond my personal regrets? What if I had the power to rewrite history itself? Maybe I could prevent a disaster, save lives, or avert a tragedy that shaped the world as we know it. The very thought of wielding such power sends chills down my spine. But there's a catch—the "butterfly effect." A seemingly small change could spiral into something massive, something unforeseen.

The butterfly effect teaches us that even the tiniest actions can trigger larger-than-life consequences. Picture a butterfly flapping its wings—just once, softly—in one part of the world. That delicate motion stirs the air, and that tiny disturbance grows, gathering momentum until, miles away, it turns into a storm.

In much the same way, even the smallest changes in the past might set off a chain reaction, altering the future in ways we could never imagine or control.

It's easy to get caught up in the fantasy of fixing the past. But in truth, there's great power in acceptance. Our experiences—the joys, the heartaches, the triumphs, and the mistakes—have all shaped us into who we are today. Perhaps the real strength lies not in wishing for a different past, but in learning to accept it. After all, life is about growth, and every challenge teaches us something invaluable.

Conclusion

If I had a time machine, the temptation to go back and fix mistakes would be overwhelming. But after some reflection, I realize that the past—flawed and painful as it may be—has shaped me, molded me into who I am today. Instead of changing it, I'd rather focus on the present, on living fully now, and on creating a future built on the lessons I've learned.