I haven’t had very many life-changing experiences, which I suppose is obvious given the word “life-changing.” However, skydiving with my co-workers on July 11, definitely counts as one of those moments. When I think back on all of my adventures, across the world and back again, very few can be identified as events that altered my state of mind and being. In my opinion, the experiences that can be defined as life-changing encompass the following characteristics:
- Something that challenges you, whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally
- Changes the way you view yourself or the world around you
- Provides a rush of emotions: accomplishment, excitement, fear, etc.
What do you think defines a life-changing experience? Or, is it the very nature of these experiences that they cannot be defined by any number of qualifiers?
Have you had a life-changing experience? Multiple?
“Life changed after that jump…I’d suddenly stepped to the highest level of daring, a level above even that which airplane pilots could attain.”
– Charles Lindbergh (1902 – 1974), describing his first skydive
#1 by Kasey Skala on July 20, 2010 - 3:12 pm
I think we make “life-changing” bigger than it is, and like you mentioned, often overlook items/events/etc. that truly are life-changing.
You skydiving, yes that’s absolutely a changer. You getting married..life-changing. But what about smaller things that aren’t as “sexy” like cutting back eating out or biking to work once a week. We often think life-changing has to be extreme, when in fact, it doesn’t. Or at least not in my book.
My biggest life-changing moment was moving 1800 miles away from home, without a job or a place to live, right after college. It’s on the extreme side, but I’d also say that joining PRSA has been nearly as life-changing (not a sponsorsed plus, I promise) as my move was.
Interesting question, Kristen.
#2 by Kristin on July 22, 2010 - 2:19 pm
I agree. Life-changing decisions don’t have to be daring or dangerous, but they do take guts – and I think that’s what it is all about. The examples you list: marriage, moving 1800 miles from home, etc. all take guts.
Thanks for the comment
#3 by Erik Hare on August 11, 2010 - 8:14 pm
My life is one constantly changing experience. Not just my divorce 7 years ago and string of relationships since, some maddening and some enlightening, either. I’m always looking for a new career of some kind and never know where the next mortgage payment will come from – but it always does. It’s a matter of living as if it might all end tomorrow and letting the details sort themselves out.
After a while, nothing is too difficult to at least fake for a while. Constant change may be frustrating and difficult, but it’s also amazingly invigorating.