What has happened in your life that everything changed in one moment?

This is an easy question for me to answer. It was my college English professor telling me I should leave Texas and move to NYC, which he somehow believed I had the chops to tackle. It took me a while to work up the nerve, but with his encouragement and that from my native-Texan mother (who loved visiting friends in the City) and my NY-native dad (who relocated to Texas after the WW2 to marry her), I did it at 19.

That move totally changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me my education and career, and it exposed me to culture, politics, ideas and much else which I would never have experienced so fully in my hometown – and which make me who I am today.

Thank you, Professor.

I had a galvanizing moment myself, but its origin will seem odd to you. At 13, I was sexually molested by my uncle. He was methodical in his actions, well-practiced as we discovered much later when other cousins shared their stories that were identical to mine.

Because I was debilitatingly shy, never able to muster even a single word, let alone eye contact, with most people, to summon the courage to fight back was a life-changing moment for me. As he continued with his verbal threats to kill me if I ever told anyone about his actions, my brain was quickly strategizing escape routes and survival techniques.

I believe that day, and specifically the actions that occurred within a four-hour time span, led me done a path of continually challenging my own comfort zone and allowing me to envision outcomes that otherwise would seem impossible. I believe this terrible story had a very happy ending.

My father dying
• He retired after 40 yrs with one company and had plans to travel with my mother.
• He was diagnosed with cancer 2-months later.
• He was dead 18-months later.
• 3-months after that, my relationship with my toxic mother ostensibly ended.
• 1-month after that, my mother’s side of the family (about 10 people) stopped talking to me

This was a huge sea change in my life. As much as I miss my father, it’s all been for the better.

“I want to move out.”

I grew up in the city and took a caretaking job on a 200 acre lakefront property up here in the Sierra foothills when I was 18. It set me on the path to rural living after a stint in Southern CA. a few years later. I knew I wanted to live in the country in peace, raise my daughter in a peaceful, safe and natural environment and enjoy all the amenities of country mountain living, including keeping geese and other farm pets. My life has changed drastically the last year or so now, but no regrets. I have lived an interesting life that many only dream of.

I remember when I was only 10 years old and was given my first joint. I remember thinking that if I make this choice it will take my life in a completely different direction than if I refused. I sometimes wonder who I would be today (at 52 had I refused.)

@Judi Meh…you’re just fine! :-)
We were a product of our generation, sex, drugs and rock-n-roll.
I still enjoy a little marijuana on occasion but nothing that has been a lifelong issue.
I was more influenced by the back to nature hippie movement but yes, I can see how different just one decade made.

People that came of age in the mid 80’s vs. the mid-70’s were like night and day. Out with the bohemian desires and in with Yuppiedom. lol

Unexpectedly finding out that I was pregnant and the moment I told the father. His response changed my life forever. I am now a proud “whole” single parent of a magical 7 year old boy.

The death of my wife did it for me. I lost everything that day.

“I think maybe we should get a divorce”

A final hug , from the one that got away.

My friend: “Can you promise me you won’t do anything stupid” (meaning, suicide)
Me: “No.”

That followed my first confession to anyone about my gender issues, and that one word made me realise that I had to do something about it. That one little word, spoken out loud, probably saved my life.

I’m sixteen and in my bed, New Jersey. My mother sits on my bed: “we’re moving to Dallas.” Meaning the three of us. Changed my entire life.