Growing older can mean a few things to most people. It usually means more responsibility, more experience, more wisdom, and more creaky bones. But the biggest thing is the greater time-span to have experienced some pretty awesome life changing events. By the middle-aged stage of life, we’ve seen a lot and it really can make a huge impact on ourselves and those around us.
I dub thee, Sir Twinkie.
I surveyed quite a few folks about their own personal life changing events to get a better understanding of what people really cared for in life. I got a whole heck of a lot more useful information than I planned! In fact, I thought it was so useful, I had to post it here to share with you. Below is the RAW, unfiltered, ad UNcut responses I received to a set of questions.
Question:
What is your most memorable and impactful life changing experience as an adult? Why?
Answers:
- My life changed when I bought my first car in 2009, at the age of 29. I no longer had to wait for buses in cold weather, or pay expensive cab rates. Mostly, having my own vehicle gave me the feeling of independence that a man needs. With this new versatility and ego lift, I had the confidence to apply for jobs that I would have never tried for previously. In fact, that road led to my work from home opportunities and my three beautiful children.
- The most memorable and impactful thing I’ve done as an adult is sign up for life coach training. I can’t express how happy I am that I made this choice. I am learning about myself, changing in positive ways and learning skills that will enable me to help others fulfill their potential. I am also learning skills that will enable me to start my own coaching practice. Beyond that, I have met a number of great people in the program, some of whom I believe will be life-long friends.
- My most impactful life-changing experience isn’t a specific event, per se, but the experience of growing in general. Over the past five years, I’ve gone through the breakup of a long-term relationship, lots of emotional upheaval, several changes of residence, the rescue and adoption of my beloved dog, and a major change in the amount of alcohol I consume (from moderate but daily drinking to almost no consumption), to name a few life changes. No one change is to be credited for all the personal growth I’ve gone through, but they all contributed to my current state as an adult woman with a new direction in life. Now I know who my real friends are, what love should feel like, and I feel a lot more confident about what I want out of my life.
- The day my dad got cancer, everything changed, for the worse unfortunately. My grades began to slip in college and I just never had the focus I used to. He survived and is living a full life, but at the time I was just devastated.
- When I met my current instructor Tim Waid. He was the beginning of my journey in the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali System. This was the move that really took off not only my martial skills but my business/ school also. Plus Tim is an incredible teacher and practitioner. He is by far the best I’ve seen. This is what I want out of my own experiences and developments.
- The most impactful life change as an adult has been moving to another part of the country. This has resulted in me knowing a lot more people and having new friends, but not seeing my family as much.
- When I had a child. I realized there is more to life than just money or fame…it’s about seeing your legacy live you.
- My dad has been missing since September 18th, 2011. He hasn’t called, we haven’t found his car, and my dad left with only $10 in his bank account. It’s hard. No one understands. I am constantly grieving. It is a vicious cycle where I will grieve and then think he’s alive and wait for his call. Then, I’ll grieve, and then a couple days later I’ll have hope. I just want to know at this point. It is damaging my relationship with my friends and family. No one understands me.
- I began my college career at Penn State during the year that Joe Paterno got fired, the scandal, the riots, and Joe Paterno passed. Most people don’t know but there was a candle light vigil that was held after his firing and after his death. We have a large area in front of the main building of Penn State called Old Maine. At a few days’ notice over 10,000 students, friends, and family all gathered with candles outside of Old Maine. I was a member of the marching band and was on top of Old Maine playing and got the best view possible of the sight. It was incredibly moving and simply inspiring how many people came out to honor Joe Paterno. That was the day I knew that I had come to the right college.
- My mom memorable moment thus far in my adult life was when my fiance proposed to me. We were on the beach, all alone and the weather was absolutely perfect. I was looking down for seashells and when I looked up, he was kneeling down with a ring in his hand proposing to me. It was the best moment of my life. I had loved this man for five years and was so ready to start a life together.
- My most memorable experience as an adult was the day I passed the California Bar exam. I had never made that kind of commitment to something in my entire life. I spent months studying for 16 hours a day and barely sleeping at all. Law school was a struggle for me and I didn’t think the Bar would come very easily having heard the horror stories of people failing. I was so proud of myself and my ability to finally accomplish something like this.
- Becoming a parent has been the most life changing event of my adult life. It has caused me to grow up and face life. It also helped me realize that I was truly meant to be a mom.
Liked these? Then you might like my post on the 101 most important life changing experiences in my own life. Check it out - click here.
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