Open Question: will i ever get hired again if i got fired from my last job?

so i got fired for being tardy for my third time. How can i ever get hired again?? and more than likely i lost one of the best references i could have i been with this company for three years. when applications ask "which employers do you NOT want us to contact" is it good to fill that part out? i want to show them that Im honest but how can i let them know that i've learned from my mistake. Besides this company was laying people off left and right and i was working different job positions everyday. i served in room service as a server, hostess, food runner, and i wasnt getting promoted.