Wow Trus'Me that is unbelievable and helps me to put things in perspective. You seem to have cheated death and tell about it. Thanks for sharing.
Life-changing events?
- Thread starter violetblake
- Start date
Being disabled with a brain condition. It took 10 years and I lost/gave up my most sought after career (and then 2 more) and being financially devastated by it. The surgeries and growing my hair back over and over.
It's the "We've done everything we can" that I can't get my head around. I don't want to be stuck like this for the rest of my life.
A huge adjustment, indescribable pain and a daily challenge. I never talk about this publicly, but I have shared with my most treasured visitors. In case I would ever have to cancel. I haven't yet.
SD
It's the "We've done everything we can" that I can't get my head around. I don't want to be stuck like this for the rest of my life.
A huge adjustment, indescribable pain and a daily challenge. I never talk about this publicly, but I have shared with my most treasured visitors. In case I would ever have to cancel. I haven't yet.
SD
What a great thread!
Had a relationship fail about 5 years ago, wasn't prepared for it to fail. I compounded my mistake, she and I worked together. Double-whammy as I left/lost the job at the time of the breakup, and was less than prime in the next job, so I left that as well. Haven't worked since.
Result has been a ego readjustment, but also I've learned to find happiness in small things. Have learned to control or limit the strength of my wants.
Started looking for work again a couple months ago, things are looking up!
Had a relationship fail about 5 years ago, wasn't prepared for it to fail. I compounded my mistake, she and I worked together. Double-whammy as I left/lost the job at the time of the breakup, and was less than prime in the next job, so I left that as well. Haven't worked since.
Result has been a ego readjustment, but also I've learned to find happiness in small things. Have learned to control or limit the strength of my wants.
Started looking for work again a couple months ago, things are looking up!
I would have never known, to be honest... you're one of the most articulate and enjoyable women I have spoken to (even if it was for a short while....)
Seven months in Afghanistan. More than that and it starts getting a little too personal for internet forums. Actually, more than that I'd say the last six years of my life in general - the army was an incredible catalyst for personal growth. It was very trying at times - physically, emotionally, and psychologically - but I believe I grew and matured more in those few short years than I ever did in the previous twenty.
I've had a number of both psoitive and negative experiences through my life that have shaped me.
Growing up in poverty until my mother remarried when I was 11.
At the age of 10 finally having a father figure. I know single Mom's step up every day to be Dad's to their boys but there are some things a boy should learn from a man. Like how to be a man.
Deciding at 11 or 12, I wasn't going to end up like everyone else from my neighborhood.
The teachers I had who had faith in me and told me I could be anything I wanted.
Discovering my roots.
Playing football and all the opportunities, including college, it afforded me.
Losing my brother to a drug addiction a few years ago.
But the single most significant event of my life was the birth of my daughter. The overwhelming peace and joy I felt like some kind of warm cloud that enveloped me. The first time I saw her face and swore that from that point on my life was dedicated to her. Everything since then has been with her in mind and what is best for her.
Cheers
Growing up in poverty until my mother remarried when I was 11.
At the age of 10 finally having a father figure. I know single Mom's step up every day to be Dad's to their boys but there are some things a boy should learn from a man. Like how to be a man.
Deciding at 11 or 12, I wasn't going to end up like everyone else from my neighborhood.
The teachers I had who had faith in me and told me I could be anything I wanted.
Discovering my roots.
Playing football and all the opportunities, including college, it afforded me.
Losing my brother to a drug addiction a few years ago.
But the single most significant event of my life was the birth of my daughter. The overwhelming peace and joy I felt like some kind of warm cloud that enveloped me. The first time I saw her face and swore that from that point on my life was dedicated to her. Everything since then has been with her in mind and what is best for her.
Cheers
Huge respect. You guys are the shit.
You and the fathers out there. I could only aspire to be even one of the two.
One day, I hope.
Thank you does not even come close to what needs to be said or done for heros like you. God bless you! It makes me mad that we honor athletes and movie stars and pay them big bucks but the real heros the ones we should real be honoring should be paying are people like you.
Births, deaths, career ups and downs all as many of you have already stated are things have happened in my life. All are very significant to me personally. Losing a couple of friends in NYC on 9/11 is up there too.
The one that I think about almost daily is -
Standing in a room in front of 500 people honouring the life of a brave Canadian soldier who lost his life at age 21 in Afghanistan. Speaking for half an hour about his life, his family, friends and his bravery and not letting my emotions overtake me while others around me were outpouring their grief was my single most Life Changing event. I honestly didn't think I could do it but knew if I didn't stand up there would not be a proper honouring of this young man's life. I felt honoured to speak about this young man and help his parents in their time of grief.
The one that I think about almost daily is -
Standing in a room in front of 500 people honouring the life of a brave Canadian soldier who lost his life at age 21 in Afghanistan. Speaking for half an hour about his life, his family, friends and his bravery and not letting my emotions overtake me while others around me were outpouring their grief was my single most Life Changing event. I honestly didn't think I could do it but knew if I didn't stand up there would not be a proper honouring of this young man's life. I felt honoured to speak about this young man and help his parents in their time of grief.
In 2007 being in NYC and taking an outcall to the bonx not knowing where I was going. Walking into an un-lite apt with a naked black man. I asked for the lights to be turned on, he did with reluctance. Being lead into his bedroom where a gun was on the dresser. I refused our visit, asked for travel money, he declined (of course he did) I stood my ground (being a pompus ass) He reached under his pillow for his phone, and proceeded to call someone. I was not going to stick around and figure out who it was. I left promptly.
I didn't answer my phone for the next 3 days, and with $400/night hotel fee's I came home broke and not so happy about my chosen profession. Never in my life have I wanted something different then that day. The fun left me that day, and it's took 4 years to get it back.
Once home I applied for school, then for the next 2 weeks, bi-weekly I phoned the registers office of the school of my choice until they let me in.
I'm done school 2010 !!
I didn't answer my phone for the next 3 days, and with $400/night hotel fee's I came home broke and not so happy about my chosen profession. Never in my life have I wanted something different then that day. The fun left me that day, and it's took 4 years to get it back.
Once home I applied for school, then for the next 2 weeks, bi-weekly I phoned the registers office of the school of my choice until they let me in.
I'm done school 2010 !!
I appreciate the sentiment, but not a hero. I came back with all my digits and as right in my head as I ever was... More or less. Not everyone I knew could say the same. Maybe that means I'm wired a little differently, maybe it just means I was lucky, but not a "hero." I think that word gets tossed around a bit too much these days.
Maybe so JClay but you went over there to do what was right. You looked the devil in the face on our behalf. So you are a hero in my book. It is people like you and all the others that allow us to live our life as we do, who are the real heros. We own you all so much more that just a word. I thank you, and all those, who choose to join you to do what needed to be done.
Just because you came back "whole" does not mean you are any less a hero than those who did not come back. You just have the ability to tell the story.
About a little more than a year ago I was flying to LA. I had a stop over in New York my flight then went to Chicago to connect to LA. For some reason I did not get a first class seat so I had to sit in the back which is not so bad. You get to meet some interesting people. This day was no exception. I sat with this young black man and his son. His son was maybe 6 or 7. We talked as we all do. Where you going? Little boy sat in the middle seat and I was on the aisle. The boy was very well behaved and told me he was on his way to Seattle to see his Mom who was in the military. His father who was also in the military told me that his wife was going on her second tour to Afganistan. I was shocked that she had to leave her son and go over seas. Her husband told me that thier family had paid for him and his son to fly so the little boy could see his Mom. He had not seen her for a long time. He had never been on a plane before so it was a big deal. They did not know where they were going to stay or what they were going to do as his wife only had a day or so off before going over seas. It did not matter to that little boy. He was going to see his Mom.
The little boy was so proud of his Mom and he was so excited to see her and tell her all the things going on in his life. He was not upset or mad or angry that she was going away. He was going to see her and she was going to be gone for like 6 months or something crazy like that. I was so impressed with the little guy. I thought how brave of him to give his mother up to let her go to a place he did not know, to help people he would never know. When we reached Chicago as we left the plane I remember kneeling down, looking that little boy in the eyes shaking his hand and telling him to thank his Mom for me for all she was doing. He said "no Problem my Mom is happy to help out." I stood up with a tear in my eye thinking how this little boy was a hero like his Mom. I had a hundred US in my walet I gave it to his Dad told him to make sure he had a good time with his son and Mom. He did not want to take it. I said take for me and his son. I told him to call my assistant collect as he did not have a cell phone or number to be reach at. I said my assistant will arrange for a limo to pick them up at SeaTac and take them to a 5 star hotel for the time they are there. The man had tears in his eyes we shook hands and I never heard from them again. I knew I had met a real hero and he learned that from heros who taught him. So you can define hero in a lot of different ways. But put you life on the line for my way of life. I think you earned the right be called a hero.
I can also tell you I have met Bill Clinton, George Bush Jr., I have sat and talked with Rudy Giuliani, and Norman Schwarzkopf but this little boy gave me goosebumps. No fame here or money or fake comments. This was the real deal for the right reasons. This was scarifice like you gave.
Now I do not know if his mother was a cook or receptionist or was in logistics but it does not matter to that little boy she was away. We know she was going in harms way. She was making a huge scarifice for him, and us. Guys like me sitting in my suit doing my business because of people like her and you. I life my life without fear because of what you and her do. I too lost people I know in 9/11 and I know first hand what a few nuts can do to all of us. I live though the explosion in the airport in Moscow. I have lived though a fire fight in Columbia where I lost a young man who I really did not know, but died to protect me. The fact that I bought his wife and family a house there is a very small price to pay for what he gave to me.
Hero does not even begin to cover what I think of what people like you do. You might not be on the nightly news scoring the winning goal, or hitting the home run, or winning the next election. Or having you face on front cover of Rock and Roll Mag. But you my friend, I hope you don't mind I use that term, are a hero, plain and simple. You are just too much of a hero to see it. That is what makes you a hero.
In my eyes you, the policemen, firemen, nurses, doctors, teachers are the real heros. You are ones that should be recognized for not only what you do but who you are.
Sorry for my ranting and raving on a Sunday evening in Stockholm. But your comments short and sweet caused me to talk too much. Thanks again.
Thank you Jclay and thank you Dickson .. for reminding me why I am able to live the life I do .. safe in Victoria .. I forget that it is because of then of thousands of people like Jclay and that little boy that step up .. and do s tuff job when required
I grew up taught to be against war .and killing .. I always will remain believe it is wrong.. But it does not go away .. and there are people dying every minute for because of different ideologies It well never end ..
But for all that stand and put them selves in harms way .. yes they are hero's
I grew up taught to be against war .and killing .. I always will remain believe it is wrong.. But it does not go away .. and there are people dying every minute for because of different ideologies It well never end ..
But for all that stand and put them selves in harms way .. yes they are hero's
I have a similar experince to Old Max, except the opposite. When I was a kid, I was very religious. Then some things happened in my life that really forced me to look deeply into my Christian faith. I was probably going through the toughest time in my life and I looked to above for any help/comfort. As I was praying and crying out for help for weeks, I found nothing. I finally realized there was nothing there. I am on my own. All these years of believing that there was a higher being that luved me and looked out for me was nothing more than an imaginary friend, a placebo. With time, I got through my time of trial and I would like to think I came out a better and stronger person. I do believe time is the healer of all wounds. I seriously considered a career in Church ministry before, but that is one thing I am glad that I never did.
Well i should clarify that experience of faith .. It did profoundly change me in the last 26 years .. but not to religious person , more to an understanding person, caring and giving person... Who does not judge . or condemn those that are troubled and trying to get through this life .. maybe that is a little over simplified ..
I don't believe in the God that has been marketed fr the last 5000 yrs .. He came in many forms of Gods and Goddess .. as the teacher , , with the wrath and revenge , as the father that loves us .and as Jesus .. Symbols that man seems to need to understand his own existence .
i always prayed . as a kid . it was for childish things . as an adult it was for selfish things .. but why i believed there was a God was by listening to my father and all that he had gone through in life and over came .. He believed it was only with God looking after him .. I definitely thing there was some connection ,The question is though .. What is this force , presents, power that we think of as God .. What I have concluded it has nothing to do with the existence of heaven and hell Those are just man made explanations for some thing else that may had been in the past and the good and evil that we find in the world .
What I believe today is that we all are part of this phenomena e believe is God .. Our will , our thoughts . our actions form the bases for what transpires .. in the negative or positive .. Life changing events , unexplained healing .. and life saving events .. It is us .. and how in tune we are to this universe . God is not a single entity but one that we are apart of ..
Now if an asteroid comes out of the sky tomorrow and devastate the earth ,don't blame God .. That is just the nature proses that were set in motion 100 billion or more years ago .. And if a terrorist . kills thousands of people don't blame God for that ether .. That is a neo political belief in false Gods and mental illness which society seem to perpetuates .. and we each have to do our part to stop ..
Where does god love come from . and how is Gods love shown .. Only through You and I ... When we start doing the contrary , and try to influence the gods .. by unwarned sacrifices , thinking we are with out sin . and condemning others for there lac of understanding , Rather It is each of us who should look for understanding and truth .. which is hard to find in the corruption .
It changed my life . by allowing me to step in to the darkness my own personality and open my eyes to the darkness that we all live with .. only then can we find the light of truth .. I like writing that way LOL
I don't believe in the God that has been marketed fr the last 5000 yrs .. He came in many forms of Gods and Goddess .. as the teacher , , with the wrath and revenge , as the father that loves us .and as Jesus .. Symbols that man seems to need to understand his own existence .
i always prayed . as a kid . it was for childish things . as an adult it was for selfish things .. but why i believed there was a God was by listening to my father and all that he had gone through in life and over came .. He believed it was only with God looking after him .. I definitely thing there was some connection ,The question is though .. What is this force , presents, power that we think of as God .. What I have concluded it has nothing to do with the existence of heaven and hell Those are just man made explanations for some thing else that may had been in the past and the good and evil that we find in the world .
What I believe today is that we all are part of this phenomena e believe is God .. Our will , our thoughts . our actions form the bases for what transpires .. in the negative or positive .. Life changing events , unexplained healing .. and life saving events .. It is us .. and how in tune we are to this universe . God is not a single entity but one that we are apart of ..
Now if an asteroid comes out of the sky tomorrow and devastate the earth ,don't blame God .. That is just the nature proses that were set in motion 100 billion or more years ago .. And if a terrorist . kills thousands of people don't blame God for that ether .. That is a neo political belief in false Gods and mental illness which society seem to perpetuates .. and we each have to do our part to stop ..
Where does god love come from . and how is Gods love shown .. Only through You and I ... When we start doing the contrary , and try to influence the gods .. by unwarned sacrifices , thinking we are with out sin . and condemning others for there lac of understanding , Rather It is each of us who should look for understanding and truth .. which is hard to find in the corruption .
It changed my life . by allowing me to step in to the darkness my own personality and open my eyes to the darkness that we all live with .. only then can we find the light of truth .. I like writing that way LOL
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Thanks Hoops. Yeah, there's definitely some good in that life. I met some great people there and had some great experiences, but I had to move on.
