What the book is saying about life

The book A Long Way Gone is saying that in life, sometimes things happen that you can't control, but that if you work hard, you can get through them. It is saying that you cannot change the past, so you should let go of the things you regret having done and move on with your life because you cannot go back and change them.  Ishmael had no control over becoming a child soldier, he was forced to. After some time at a rehabilitation centre in Freetown with the help of Esther, He was able to forgive himself for the things he did as a child soldier, and was able to get through the hard times he faced. Ishmael realized that he couldn't change the past, and began to move on with his life when he went to live with his uncle in Freetown after he had been rehabilitated.