In 2010 I was downsized from my position at CVS Corporation. This was during a recession, I was divorced and raising 2 children.
There weren’t any jobs. I starting applying for contract and temporary positions and used any resources I could find to stay afloat.
I applied and received a free state grant and went back to school at age 50. Meanwhile, I found a seasonal position that ended up
lasting over a year because they wanted to implement a new payroll system. That seasonal position helped me land the job/Company I work at today
now going into my 9th year!
Only one?? OK, I’ll pick one–
At 27 years old while carpooling the length of Idaho to a women’s political conference I told a carful of women I was interested in someday running for office and asked their thoughts. (One of them had run for the state legislature as a write-in candidate.) Unbeknownst to me, someone shared this interest with the executive director of the party, who called a while later to recruit me to run for the legislature. Long story short, I ended up running and unseated a 4-term incumbent. I was born on Election Day and got elected for the first time on my 28th birthday so happy birthday to me! Six days later I gave birth to my oldest daughter. Talk about a big week! (While giving birth is the single most amazing physical act I’ve ever accomplished (twice), it isn’t possible for me any more so it doesn’t fit the parameters I’m bringing to this question. Rising to the challenges and joys of parenthood is another entire topic I don’t mean to shortchange.)
For me the act that enhanced the sense of what’s possible isn’t actually winning the seat. It arose first from telling others something I was thinking about doing and listening to their thoughts. That opened doors and windows and blew the roof off the box of my life. So much in my life has flowed from that. I still make it a practice to share thoughts and ideas before they’re fully baked. What’s possible is always greater when others participate in creating it with me.
Thank you for the chance to think back to that very young woman and what she learned all those years ago.
I have had a few experiences where I can’t explain what happened but they moved me to a greater awareness of faith and the strength I have to continue life.
When I was in my early twenties,
I went on an ambitious (for me)
solo bicycle tour. This certainly
enhanced my sense of what I was
physically capable of. It was a turning
point in my young life. I was still an
emotional mess and suffered greatly
From anxiety, but it did change me for
the better and when I think of a time
in my life when I felt an achievement,
the event comes to mind.
I know I’m replying to my own post,
But I just read the other responses.
Wow, thank you all for sharing some
very tender and personal experience
and thank you for the question.
I found this question difficult, like some
of you did, but it obviously resonated
with many of us. I find that I am drawn
to this question and find myself asking
people what it was that sparked a
change in there lives.
Charlie, you’re giving me ideas for an icebreaker, which we use in our weekly staff meetings to keep us connected in a personal and social sense even though our meetings are all virtual. Thank you!
I’ve been on two long multi-day bike tours with my husband and they taught me a lot about what I can do. I want to get back into the condition that would enable me to do that again; the daily physical challenge really took me to a different place mentally and emotionally.
In recent years that event has been my discovery and practice of being grateful which has led to the realization of how important it is to “practice the Presence” Be here NOW. Through this practice, I found a path to greater self-awareness and embraced the reality that my job is and always wil be willingness. From this realization, I’ve finally experienced self acceptance and I’ve learned that everything and everyone is my teacher. It has changed my outlook completely. Life is still a challenge at times but it is no longer a struggle. Compassion for myself and others has replaced self-pity. As my son says, “The question is not Why me? It’s Why not me?” Life is always somewhat of a mystery but I find it trustworthy. The possibility of growth is always offered.
Thank you, Carol. As usual, you have
succinctly expressed my thoughts and feelings into words. Willingness, is such a great word to describe a type of transformation.
My recent heart surgery would not have been done some years back. Science is realizing Tricuspid valve issues must be treated before they start causing liver and heart problems or it can be too late to help someone. I had just been assigned to a new young cardiologist who understood this. I am not sure if my previous doctor, mostly retired now, would have recommended the surgery. Science is a living growing thing. I realize ideas on this may change too. I was glad to wake up from the surgery and after more than six weeks, I am finally doing better than those early weeks. Thanks for all your caring thoughts. ❤️❤️❤️
I am having a hard time with this question. Identifying an event that enhanced my life of what is possible….I feel there should be such an event but really cannot identify any one. I do not have children and I think that would be such an event. I lost a child at 12 weeks…and suffered an intense feling of loss (and my partner had left me as well- I was all alone). That experience made me realize how we cannot take anything for granted. Relationships are fragile and how Blessed we are to have long sustaining ones. I am married now and have been for 19 years (and age 70!!)…That is not a long time. It is my first marriage. I tresure this realationship as I understand it can be taken away at any minute. This site and all of you continue to be a source of knowledge and inspiration…and great reflection.
This is a tough question for me. The birth of our children and grandchildren. The death of a younger brother. Moisture that came after the extreme drought of “02” and “03” here in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and the regrowth of some plants and tress and the deaths of others. I was sober for 17 years and then began relapsing and sobering up from June “09” until Feb “22” when I went to a CBT based in-patient rehab, then 12 weeks of intensive out-patient zoom therapy also CBT based, I was reintroduced to mediation. I had been aware of it earlier in life but blew it off. Along the way came mindfulness and gratefulness. Resilience is one word that comes to mind for the current mental state I am in. Most likely the calmest I have experienced in my 65 years. Thank you everyone who reflects, reads and provides this site.
Beginning my spiritual journey in earnest after the death of my spouse. It’s still an ongoing process of bumps and glory, but there is a deep satisfaction — something I’d never experienced before — in being who I am.
In hindsight I am aware of several “significant events” in my life that enhanced what is possible. But if I had to choose one I’d have to say that it was the moment I underwent a spiritual conversion in 1977. I was literally standing in the shower with water cascading over me when I suddenly heard and felt the sound of what I believed to be that of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me. A voice was calling my name, so much so that I flung the shower curtain open and looked around the bathroom thinking that someone, perhaps my wife or one of our young children at the time was talking to me. But I was home alone. The house was empty, or so I thought. After a few moments that sound, that sensation, an energy really, went away. But the moment I stepped out of that shower my life had changed forever.
It took me three weeks to feel able to tell my wife about what I had experienced. Shortly thereafter I began attending a nearby Quaker meeting and have been doing so ever since. I rarely speak or write about that experience long ago. But with my whole heart and soul I know that that moment came just in time, and it changed everything I would do for the rest of my life.
Kevin, I couldn’t help but think your experience was like St. Paul. What an amazing story. Our world is better because you were aware and vigilant. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Michele. Our son is 34 and has grown so much since he came out to us his senior year in High School. My hope some day is that the cruelty of some in the world towards LGBTQ folks will end.
Creator gifted me with the beginnings of a spiritual awakening in February 1985. Life and Living took on a whole new meaning, and I’ve not been the same. Grateful for Grace.
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Multiple events where I felt, loved, valued and cared about.
In 2010 I was downsized from my position at CVS Corporation. This was during a recession, I was divorced and raising 2 children.
There weren’t any jobs. I starting applying for contract and temporary positions and used any resources I could find to stay afloat.
I applied and received a free state grant and went back to school at age 50. Meanwhile, I found a seasonal position that ended up
lasting over a year because they wanted to implement a new payroll system. That seasonal position helped me land the job/Company I work at today
now going into my 9th year!
Only one?? OK, I’ll pick one–
At 27 years old while carpooling the length of Idaho to a women’s political conference I told a carful of women I was interested in someday running for office and asked their thoughts. (One of them had run for the state legislature as a write-in candidate.) Unbeknownst to me, someone shared this interest with the executive director of the party, who called a while later to recruit me to run for the legislature. Long story short, I ended up running and unseated a 4-term incumbent. I was born on Election Day and got elected for the first time on my 28th birthday so happy birthday to me! Six days later I gave birth to my oldest daughter. Talk about a big week! (While giving birth is the single most amazing physical act I’ve ever accomplished (twice), it isn’t possible for me any more so it doesn’t fit the parameters I’m bringing to this question. Rising to the challenges and joys of parenthood is another entire topic I don’t mean to shortchange.)
For me the act that enhanced the sense of what’s possible isn’t actually winning the seat. It arose first from telling others something I was thinking about doing and listening to their thoughts. That opened doors and windows and blew the roof off the box of my life. So much in my life has flowed from that. I still make it a practice to share thoughts and ideas before they’re fully baked. What’s possible is always greater when others participate in creating it with me.
Thank you for the chance to think back to that very young woman and what she learned all those years ago.
I have had a few experiences where I can’t explain what happened but they moved me to a greater awareness of faith and the strength I have to continue life.
When I was in my early twenties,
I went on an ambitious (for me)
solo bicycle tour. This certainly
enhanced my sense of what I was
physically capable of. It was a turning
point in my young life. I was still an
emotional mess and suffered greatly
From anxiety, but it did change me for
the better and when I think of a time
in my life when I felt an achievement,
the event comes to mind.
I know I’m replying to my own post,
But I just read the other responses.
Wow, thank you all for sharing some
very tender and personal experience
and thank you for the question.
I found this question difficult, like some
of you did, but it obviously resonated
with many of us. I find that I am drawn
to this question and find myself asking
people what it was that sparked a
change in there lives.
Charlie, you’re giving me ideas for an icebreaker, which we use in our weekly staff meetings to keep us connected in a personal and social sense even though our meetings are all virtual. Thank you!
I’ve been on two long multi-day bike tours with my husband and they taught me a lot about what I can do. I want to get back into the condition that would enable me to do that again; the daily physical challenge really took me to a different place mentally and emotionally.
In recent years that event has been my discovery and practice of being grateful which has led to the realization of how important it is to “practice the Presence” Be here NOW. Through this practice, I found a path to greater self-awareness and embraced the reality that my job is and always wil be willingness. From this realization, I’ve finally experienced self acceptance and I’ve learned that everything and everyone is my teacher. It has changed my outlook completely. Life is still a challenge at times but it is no longer a struggle. Compassion for myself and others has replaced self-pity. As my son says, “The question is not Why me? It’s Why not me?” Life is always somewhat of a mystery but I find it trustworthy. The possibility of growth is always offered.
I was struck by the thought “being a challenge but not necessarily a struggle.” Thank you!
Thank you, Carol. As usual, you have
succinctly expressed my thoughts and feelings into words. Willingness, is such a great word to describe a type of transformation.
My recent heart surgery would not have been done some years back. Science is realizing Tricuspid valve issues must be treated before they start causing liver and heart problems or it can be too late to help someone. I had just been assigned to a new young cardiologist who understood this. I am not sure if my previous doctor, mostly retired now, would have recommended the surgery. Science is a living growing thing. I realize ideas on this may change too. I was glad to wake up from the surgery and after more than six weeks, I am finally doing better than those early weeks. Thanks for all your caring thoughts. ❤️❤️❤️
Keep moving on the healing path. Hugs!
I am having a hard time with this question. Identifying an event that enhanced my life of what is possible….I feel there should be such an event but really cannot identify any one. I do not have children and I think that would be such an event. I lost a child at 12 weeks…and suffered an intense feling of loss (and my partner had left me as well- I was all alone). That experience made me realize how we cannot take anything for granted. Relationships are fragile and how Blessed we are to have long sustaining ones. I am married now and have been for 19 years (and age 70!!)…That is not a long time. It is my first marriage. I tresure this realationship as I understand it can be taken away at any minute. This site and all of you continue to be a source of knowledge and inspiration…and great reflection.
This is a tough question for me. The birth of our children and grandchildren. The death of a younger brother. Moisture that came after the extreme drought of “02” and “03” here in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and the regrowth of some plants and tress and the deaths of others. I was sober for 17 years and then began relapsing and sobering up from June “09” until Feb “22” when I went to a CBT based in-patient rehab, then 12 weeks of intensive out-patient zoom therapy also CBT based, I was reintroduced to mediation. I had been aware of it earlier in life but blew it off. Along the way came mindfulness and gratefulness. Resilience is one word that comes to mind for the current mental state I am in. Most likely the calmest I have experienced in my 65 years. Thank you everyone who reflects, reads and provides this site.
Giving birth to my two daughters a few years apart … They have been and continue to be the joy and inspiration of my heart.
Beginning my spiritual journey in earnest after the death of my spouse. It’s still an ongoing process of bumps and glory, but there is a deep satisfaction — something I’d never experienced before — in being who I am.
The birth of children.
In hindsight I am aware of several “significant events” in my life that enhanced what is possible. But if I had to choose one I’d have to say that it was the moment I underwent a spiritual conversion in 1977. I was literally standing in the shower with water cascading over me when I suddenly heard and felt the sound of what I believed to be that of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me. A voice was calling my name, so much so that I flung the shower curtain open and looked around the bathroom thinking that someone, perhaps my wife or one of our young children at the time was talking to me. But I was home alone. The house was empty, or so I thought. After a few moments that sound, that sensation, an energy really, went away. But the moment I stepped out of that shower my life had changed forever.
It took me three weeks to feel able to tell my wife about what I had experienced. Shortly thereafter I began attending a nearby Quaker meeting and have been doing so ever since. I rarely speak or write about that experience long ago. But with my whole heart and soul I know that that moment came just in time, and it changed everything I would do for the rest of my life.
Kevin, I couldn’t help but think your experience was like St. Paul. What an amazing story. Our world is better because you were aware and vigilant. Thanks for sharing.
And thanks for your kind words, Yram.
Kissing a woman later in life enhanced my sense that loving a woman instead of a man was possible. 🌈
Thank you Michele. Our son is 34 and has grown so much since he came out to us his senior year in High School. My hope some day is that the cruelty of some in the world towards LGBTQ folks will end.
Thank you Joseph, I hope so too:)
Beautifully said, my friend!
Creator gifted me with the beginnings of a spiritual awakening in February 1985. Life and Living took on a whole new meaning, and I’ve not been the same. Grateful for Grace.
Just after I posted my response, Carla, I read yours. Seems we wrote about similar experiences. My very best to you!
Thank you Kevin. Yes the profundity never leaves us. 🌟