The Absolute Most Defining Moment/Turning Point of Your Life???

Brain of J.Lo

GraySaturday wrote:

my life dramatically changed when I moved 800 miles away from my mind controlling/over bearing mother.


Sometimes you can't find who you are without getting away to a place where you only have yourself to depend on.

Wait, did I post this under your name? I don't remember doing so....but I swear I could have posted this.

I have to say that I never realized the issues I have with my mom and older sister (who is somewhat like a second mom) controlling my life (or trying to) until I moved 800 miles away from them! I feel like it allowed me to grow up in a way that I hadn't before. Don't get me wrong, I love them....but I think I am better off being on my own.

markymark550

I don't know about one single moment, but a few important ones are:
-graduating college and having to go out and make it on my own
-getting married to the most wonderful woman ever
-the death of my father
-the death of my maternal grandfather

polaris

spending 6 weeks recovering from a broken leg in a crippled childrens centre where i was the healthiest kid around ... it may not be a defining moment but it has shaped me to be who i am today ...

lalalalaaaaaaaa

LongRd. wrote:

I'm trying to find that moment myself.

In the meantime, please tell me your "moment," I'm trying to get a good idea of what this life is about.

Thank You.

I'm pretty certain that life is NOT about having a single "OMGWTFMYLIFEHASCOMPLETELYCHANGED" moment. Life is about having little moments of clarity all the time so you're constantly growing in a semi-chaotic state. Otherwise, you're not really living, you're just idling. Some moments are more profound than others, no doubt, but there's no master moment that will make you see what life is all about imo.

you are

GraySaturday wrote:

my life dramatically changed when I moved 800 miles away from my mind controlling/over bearing mother.


Sometimes you can't find who you are without getting away to a place where you only have yourself to depend on.

EXACTLY! moving out into my own apartment has been the BEST thing for me. i've learned so much about myself, become more responsible, and more confident. i've also learned how to think for MYSELF! i'm the youngest of 5 children so i never had a chance to think for myself.

comebackwoman

There have been a few times where I had the courage to do what I thought was right for me and my happiness...even if it wasn't what other people wanted me to do or thought I "should" do. My most defining moments have all been about having the courage to trust myself and my decision instead of worrying about pleasing other people.

eyedclaar

Probably the time I was locked in mortal combat with a guy that I thought was my arch-nemesis only to have him throw me for a loop and profess to be my father.

CityMouse

LongRd. wrote:

I'm trying to find that moment myself.

In the meantime, please tell me your "moment," I'm trying to get a good idea of what this life is about.

Thank You.

well, there have been a few:

-hearing Ten for the first time (sounds cheesey, but my life has never been the same)

-college

-moving out on my parents

-realizing certain things about relationships

you are

eyedclaar wrote:

Probably the time I was locked in mortal combat with a guy that I thought was my arch-nemesis only to have him throw me for a loop and profess to be my father.

Luke, is that you?

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

a few:

moving far away in the middle of the night with a couple hundred bucks and a car. (good)
Katrina, and moving back home (bad)
gaining 70 lbs. (bad)
losing 70 lbs. (good)

smithnic

seeking therapy
moving to NYC

decides2dream

LongRd. wrote:

I'm trying to find that moment myself.

In the meantime, please tell me your "moment," I'm trying to get a good idea of what this life is about.

Thank You.

i don't have a "moment"...more like many, many moments. some pretty significant, others seeming insignificant, but meaningful for me.


the biggies:
-studying abroad
-getting married
-my first teaching job, especially the first day....realizing i really could do it!
- buying our house. i think that's the first time i really felt like a 'grown-up'....altho i really don't still, just fake it well.
-my father dying.
-graduating college, then grad school...each big turning points.
-surviving, and hopefully thriving, after a very difficult life patch.
-changing careers, a real BIG decision.....and mostly realizing that i CAN.
-almost anythime i travel.
-being alone, wherever....exploring, with my camera.


i think whenever i face a truly difficult challenge or decision...or whenever i feel unbelievable joy, true contentment....happiness in just 'being'......are all amazing and defining moments for me. times like these...where you are tested...or whenever you feel your greatest joys...help you see who YOU truly are. what you are made of, what matters most.

John Briggs 2008

The day my daughter was born is the greatest and most defining and turning point in my whole existence. It has forever committed me to improve, to grow, to expand and to love unconditionally and most of all to change for the better. My daughter will never know the gratitude and thanks that is owed to her. I owe the same to her mother. Bless her soul.

corduroid

my father's suicide, 1979

brainofjb

the day my daughter was born

and the turning point (hopefully) for this country, will be on her 1st
bday
1-20-09

PJPixie

My youngest son proving what a fighter he is, enduring 3 open heart surgeries as an infant, to save his life. I don't think I knew what it was to live before that.

anotherclone

I really like reading all of these replies, even if some of them are kinda sad. Especially the one that appears to be Luke Skywalker.

For me, sometimes it's a series of events that total up to a "moment".

I was working my ass off 10 hour days, neglecting my family and just being generally overworked, selfish and crabby. Then I was diagnosed with leukemia. Talk about shaking up my priorities! What a friggin eye opener.

It changed everything about me. Really, for the better. It probably seems nutty to say that something like cancer can be a "good" thing, but for me at least in at least some respect, it was.

It forced me to slow down and value the little stuff and honestly I'm a better person for it. 19 months in remission and counting.

PJPixie

anotherclone wrote:

I really like reading all of these replies, even if some of them are kinda sad. Especially the one that appears to be Luke Skywalker.

For me, sometimes it's a series of events that total up to a "moment".

I was working my ass off 10 hour days, neglecting my family and just being generally overworked, selfish and crabby. Then I was diagnosed with leukemia. Talk about shaking up my priorities! What a friggin eye opener.

It changed everything about me. Really, for the better. It probably seems nutty to say that something like cancer can be a "good" thing, but for me at least in at least some respect, it was.

It forced me to slow down and value the little stuff and honestly I'm a better person for it. 19 months in remission and counting.

Awesome!

ajedigecko

PJPixie wrote:

My youngest son proving what a fighter he is, enduring 3 open heart surgeries as an infant, to save his life. I don't think I knew what it was to live before that.

thanks for sharing.....i will keep your last sentence with me.

PJaddicted

For me it hasn't been one moment, its been many, maybe that's because I'm so old

*Leaving home at 19 and finding myself
*Meeting and marrying hubby, it has been an awesome ride so far
*Giving birth to 4 sons and mothering them
*Finding out....you can always do what you love, you never have to grow up

and the most important life changing event....my Dads sudden death 3.5 years ago, I learned a very hard lesson, we may not have a tomorrow....so live for today, have no regrets, be happy while I'm here, don't waste time on the petty things and just have fun. LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH

oxc